Agents collecting truckers’ personal information to track COVID-19

Truck drivers crossing the border into Canada are now being asked to give out personal information at some checkpoints.

Canadian officials are requesting personal email addresses and cell phone numbers at certain locations in an effort to track travelers and the spread of COVID-19 into the country.

Since March, Canada has required travelers to complete a Traveler Contact Information Form to help the Public Health Agency of Canada monitor and enforce a 14-day quarantine or isolation period. Essential workers, like commercial truck drivers, have been exempt from this quarantine requirement and divulging personal contact information provided they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Luke Reimer, communications adviser for Canada Border Services Agency’s Western Canada division, told Truckinginfo.com “…As of June 30, in conjunction with Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the CBSA launched a pilot project to collect contact information from persons who are exempt [truck drivers] from quarantine by virtue of falling within one of the exemptions in section 6 of Order in Council 2020-0523.”

“This is so these exempt persons may be contacted during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada,” said Reimer.

You may be asked to give out personal contact information at the following checkpoints:

• St. Stephen, NB 3rd Bridge/Calais ME
• St. Armand, QC/Highgate Springs, VT
• Lansdowne, ON/Alexandria Bay, NY
• Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Queenston, ON/Lewiston, NY
• Coutts, AB/Sweet Grass, MT
• Pacific Highway, Surrey, BC/Blaine, WA

More ports of entry could be added as the country continues to track the spread of COVID-19 across their border.

Non-essential travel restrictions remain in place at the Canadian border until July 21, 2020. More information about Canada’s guidelines for travelers can be found here.