Atlantic Bubble

The Atlantic Bubble (French: Bulle de déplacement des provinces de l'Atlantique) was a special travel-restricted area created on July 3, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The area was an agreement between the four Atlantic Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador which allowed unrestricted travel among provincial residents and restricts travel from Canadians who are residents of outside provinces. Residents wishing to travel to the Atlantic Bubble are subjected to screening and are required to quarantine for 14 days before moving freely throughout the bubble. Individual provinces have specific rules toward travellers from outside of Atlantic Canada. The provinces in the bubble have seen the lowest numbers of COVID-19 compared to other Canadian provinces throughout the pandemic.[1]

See also: Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
Atlantic Bubble
CategorySpecial travel-restricted area
LocationNew Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Created
  • July 3-November 26, 2020
    June 23, 2021-present
Populations2,441,141 (2020 Q4 estimate)
Government

The area was suspended on November 26, 2020, due to a second wave of COVID-19 cases across Canada. The Council of Atlantic Premiers confirmed the bubble would resume April 19, 2021,[2] but later postponed the date to May 3, 2021, due to an increase in cases due to the third wave of the virus.[3] Following a travel ban on outside travellers in PEI and Nova Scotia, the reopening date was postponed indefinitely.[4] In late May 2021, plans for the reopening of the bubble were announced by some of the provinces, with various possible reopening dates.[5][6][7] However, each province has their own reopening plans which include allowing travel from outside the Atlantic region and no consensus has been made between the four provinces, leaving the fate of the bubble unclear.[8]

Following mass-vaccinations across the country, the Atlantic Bubble had a reiteration in June 2021. Free travel is allowed between the provinces generally speaking, with the exception of Prince Edward Island, who require at least partial vaccination (one-dose) to enter the province. Each province has their own rules on outside travellers from other provinces in Canada - fully vaccinated travellers (both-doses) are allowed to enter each province freely without quarantine.[9]

History

The Atlantic Bubble was first conceived to encourage economic strength and fluidity[10] amongst the Atlantic provinces due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Initially, the Atlantic Provinces had interprovincial travel restrictions, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.[11] On June 24, 2020, it was announced that the four premiers of the Atlantic Canadian provinces had come to an agreement of creating a free-travel bubble, effective July 3, 2020[12][13] amongst the provinces.[11]

On November 23, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island announced plans to suspend involvement in the bubble effective November 24. Travellers from other Atlantic provinces would be required to self-isolate upon entry,[14] thus restricting the bubble to just New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.[15][16] On November 26, New Brunswick joined PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador in imposing a 14-day self-isolation requirement on out-of-province travellers, thus ending any free-travel amongst the member provinces.[17] On December 3, Prince Edward Island extended its suspension of involvement in the bubble.[18]

In response, Nova Scotian Premier Stephen McNeil commented that despite the temporary withdrawal of other provinces from the agreement, he called the bubble concept a success for Atlantic Canadians' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] Nova Scotians do not have to self-isolate if they return from another Atlantic province, but will face regional self-isolation orders if entering one of the other three provinces.[20]

Premier Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador announced December 7 that the province will suspend involvement in the bubble until at least the beginning of 2021.[21] PEI will be suspending its involvement in the bubble until at least January 11, 2021.[22]

On January 4, 2021, Dr. Jennifer Russell of New Brunswick suggested talks of restarting the bubble will likely resume shortly.[23]

On January 9, 2021, due to a spike in cases in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia officially restricted travel from New Brunswickers travelling into the province, requiring a 14-day self isolation (with work and medical exemptions).[24]

On February 10, 2021, similar circumstances in Newfoundland and Labrador prompted Nova Scotia to restrict travel from that province as well,[25] leaving the final remnant of the original Atlantic bubble in place only for travel from Prince Edward Island into Nova Scotia.

Dependant on COVID-19 cases, PEI's Chief Health Office Dr. Heather Morrison hopes the bubble could reopen around April 1, 2021.[26][27]

On March 18, 2021, the Council of Atlantic Premiers confirmed the bubble would resume April 19, 2021.[2]

On March 19, 2021, Nova Scotia opened their border with New Brunswick, allowing New Brunswick and PEI residents to freely travel to the province without having to self-isolate.[28]

On April 13, 2021, the Bubble's reopening was delayed until May 3, 2021, due to a resurgence of cases.[3]

During this period, the French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon requested to be part of the bubble, although this was unsuccessful.[29]

Following a travel ban on outside travellers by PEI and Nova Scotia, the reopening date of the bubble has been postponed indefinitely once again. Nova Scotia Premier Rankin saying that the bubble was "clearly not going to happen".[4]

On May 27, 2021, PEI announced reopening plans for the province and the plan stated that on June 27, 2021, Atlantic Canadians with one dose of vaccine would be allowed travel freely without a need for a 14-day isolation. However, later that day Premier Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick announced that the bubble would fully reopen on July 1, 2021, to all Atlantic Canadians vaccinated or not.[4] In addition, PEI would open to all travellers from outside Atlantic Canada who are fully vaccinated without the need for self-isolation on August 8, 2021.[30]

Newfoundland and Labrador suspended their part in the Atlantic Bubble on September 30, 2021, due to an increase in cases in the Atlantic Region, as well as their own change in epidemiology. Health officials also announced new travel restrictions for those with one dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine. Partially vaccinated travellers will have the same restrictions as unvaccinated travellers, and will have to isolate for two weeks. However, those who are partially vaccinated may request to be tested for COVID-19 on days 7 through 9 of their isolation.[31]

Rules
Traveling inside the Atlantic Bubble: a New Brunswick checkpoint on the Trans-Canada Highway, when entering from Nova Scotia in August 2020.

At the beginning of the pandemic, peace officers restricted movement between provinces in the Atlantic region. After the agreement to begin the bubble, officers stayed on the border and checked identification for those travelling between provinces. Residents of each of the four provinces are allowed to travel freely amongst member provinces. Travellers from outside of the member provinces are asked to provide proof of plans to quarantine for 14 days. They are also screened for COVID-19 symptoms.[32] New Brunswick, which borders Quebec is the only province with a land border to restrict vehicular traffic.[32] Each province has different rules for entering the province for travellers from outside the Atlantic Bubble.[32] Air travellers are screened for COVID-19 and asked for proof of plans to quarantine for 14 days.[32][33]

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island has more stringent restrictions than the other provinces and requires advance written approval from the government for travellers from outside of the Atlantic Bubble.[32] The island province has established the PEI Pass which requires travellers from outside the province to apply for a special travel visa to enter the province. Travellers from outside Atlantic Canada must be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved vaccine in order to be exempt from quarantine. Travellers are still tested upon entry to the province.[9]

Incidents

2020
  • July 6: A truck driver in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island was fined for failing to self isolate after travelling outside of the Atlantic Bubble.[34]
  • September 4–7: Four students were fined by RCMP in Antigonish and Wolfville in Nova Scotia for failure to self-isolate.[35]
  • September 10: A student was fined in Wolfville, Nova Scotia for breaking quarantine.[36]
  • September 21: A man from North Rustico, PEI was fined for failure to self-isolate.[37]
  • October 1: A man who travelled from Central Africa died from COVID-19 while in self-isolation in Newfoundland and Labrador. The man was asymptomatic while travelling from Central Africa to Toronto, and then Toronto to Halifax and Halifax to Deer Lake on September 30.[38][39]
  • October 23: A man from Kentville, Nova Scotia was fined for failing to self isolate after travelling outside the Atlantic Bubble.[40]
  • November 2: WestJet suspended all flights to the Atlantic provinces, citing lack of interest, due in part to the member province's disinterest in travel outside of the bubble.[41][42][43]
  • December 8: Air Canada announced the suspension of many domestic flights in the Atlantic Canada region effective January 11, 2021, citing lack of interest due to government enforced self-isolation times.[44][45][46][47]

2021
  • April 20: Five people from Ontario were charged in Summerside, PEI for failing to self-isolate after their vehicle was spotted at a Wal-Mart less than one hour after they entered the province.[48]
  • May 19: An Ontario man attempting to travel illegally to Newfoundland was arrested for drunk driving in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.[49]

Reception

A poll found 81% of Atlantic Canadians in favour of the Atlantic Bubble.[50]

Criticism

Critics call into question the constitutionality of the Atlantic Bubble.[51] According to Section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

(2) Every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right

a) to move to and take up residence in any province; and

b) to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.
— Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 6

Therefore, detractors of the bubble suggest that the concept of the bubble impedes the rights of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.[51]

In September 2020, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador ruled that, while existing travel restrictions do violate Section 6 of the Charter, the violation is permitted under Section 1, which allows "limits [on Charter rights]... as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society."[52] The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is appealing the decision.[53]

In May 2021, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association once again challenged travel restrictions, but this time in Nova Scotia. The association claimed unconstitutionality as the travel restrictions interfere with 'travel freedom' in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.[54]

See also

References
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  2. "Atlantic Bubble 2 Begins Mid-April".
  3. "PEI Pandemic Briefing".
  4. "Atlantic bubble 'clearly not going to happen' by May 3, says premier". HalifaxToday.ca.
  5. "P.E.I. will let in Atlantic Canadians with at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine on June 27". Global News.
  6. "N.B. will no longer require self-isolation for travellers within Atlantic Canada except N.S. starting June 7 | Watch News Videos Online". Global News.
  7. "Nova Scotia could see Atlantic bubble return Canada Day". HalifaxToday.ca.
  8. Morse, B. Jack. "Premier says he's given up on the Atlantic bubble".
  9. "What you need to know as a modified Atlantic Bubble opens | Globalnews.ca". Global News.
  10. "Canada's Atlantic region shut out world to beat COVID-19, and the economy has done OK". INQUIRER.net USA. October 26, 2020.
  11. "No New Cases of COVID-19, Atlantic Travel Bubble Announced". News Releases. May 11, 2018.
  12. Ross, Shane (June 24, 2020). "Atlantic provinces agree to regional COVID-19 pandemic bubble". CBC News PEI. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  13. "Atlantic Provinces Form Travel Bubble" (PDF). The Council of Atlantic Premiers. June 24, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  14. "Atlantic Bubble Burst".
  15. "PEI COVID 19 Morrison Briefing".
  16. "Andrew Furey News Conference Deer Lake Dean Ball".
  17. "N.B. pulls out of Atlantic bubble; Fredericton region moving to orange phase". Atlantic. November 26, 2020.
  18. "PEI Atlantic Bubble".
  19. "Premier calls Atlantic bubble a success, despite withdrawal of other provinces". HalifaxToday.ca.
  20. "Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel". Coronavirus (COVID-19). January 30, 2020.
  21. "Province out of Atlantic bubble until at least January: Furey". thestar.com. December 7, 2020.
  22. "Atlantic Provinces Travel Bubble". www.princeedwardisland.ca. June 24, 2020. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  23. "NB Reports Seven Cases".
  24. Walton, Victoria. "New Brunswick kicked out of Nova Scotia's Atlantic bubble". The Coast Halifax.
  25. "Newfoundland and Labrador Border Tightened". Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. 11 May 2018.
  26. "P.E.I. chief health officer hopes Atlantic bubble reopens in couple of months". Global News.
  27. Dearing, Allan. "When Will Atlantic Bubble Reopen?".
  28. "New Brunswick Border Opening, Remaining Restrictions Lifted". News Releases. May 11, 2018.
  29. "These French islands off Newfoundland want to join the Atlantic Bubble". CBC Radio. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  30. "PEI Pandemic Reopening Plan".
  31. "missing title".
  32. "What you need to know as Atlantic bubble begins Friday". CBC News New Brunswick. July 2, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
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  34. Day, Jim. "Trucker in P.E.I. fined $1,000 for failing to self-isolate | The Journal Pioneer". www.journalpioneer.com.
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  36. "Another out-of-province student gets $1K fine for not self-isolating". CBC News Nova Scotia. September 12, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  37. Higgins, Brian (September 21, 2020). "P.E.I. man fined for failing to self-isolate due to COVID-19". CBC News PEI. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  38. "Newfoundland and Labrador's latest COVID-19 case related to that of a man who died in self-isolation | The Chronicle Herald". www.thechronicleherald.ca.
  39. "Man dies from COVID-19 after travelling from Central Africa to Newfoundland via Toronto". CP24. October 3, 2020.
  40. "Kentville man fined for failing to self-isolate after travelling outside of Atlantic Bubble | The Chronicle Herald". www.thechronicleherald.ca.
  41. Reynolds, Christopher (October 14, 2020). "WestJet cutting flights to Atlantic Canada, laying off staff". Atlantic.
  42. Chisholm, Cassidy (October 14, 2020). "Cuts to WestJet service 'a major blow' to Atlantic airports as region still isolated due to COVID-19". CBC News Nova Scotia. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  43. Wherry, Aaron (October 16, 2020). "WestJet's retreat from Atlantic Canada pushes the federal government into a corner". CBC News. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  44. "'Verge of collapse': Air Canada reports more service cuts, station closures in Atlantic Canada". Global News.
  45. Atkins, Eric (8 December 2020). "Air Canada cutting more routes in Atlantic Canada in January, saying they are unviable during pandemic". The Globe and Mail.
  46. "Air Canada cuts more flights to Atlantic provinces". ca.news.yahoo.com. 9 December 2020.
  47. "'Massive blow': Air Canada to suspend multiple flight routes to Atlantic Canada". Atlantic. December 8, 2020.
  48. "Five people from Ontario charged for failing to self-isolate within an hour of arriving on P.E.I." Atlantic. April 20, 2021.
  49. "COVID-19: Ontario man illegally travelling to Newfoundland stopped for drunk driving in N.S." Global News.
  50. "Nova Scotians steadfast on keeping borders shut : poll". HalifaxToday.ca.
  51. English, Jill; Murphy, Tom (September 16, 2020). "Support for Atlantic bubble remains strong even as some question its constitutionality". CBC News Nova Scotia. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  52. "NL Travel Ban Supreme Court Decision".
  53. "Travel Ban Appeal Decision".
  54. Edwards, Danielle (May 12, 2021). "Advocacy group calls N.S. COVID travel ban unconstitutional, says should be scrapped". Atlantic.
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