TORONTO — It came late in the day but the federal government’s info site for quarantine hotels went live as promised on Feb. 18.

The site can be found here.

The site notes that hotel stopover bookings will be managed by American Express Global Business Travel and are available by phone only. Travellers are directed to call 1-800-294-8253 to book their mandatory 3-night hotel stopover.

At the federal government’s COVID-19 briefing today, a reporter told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that “the phone system isn’t working at all.”

In response Trudeau outlined the government’s measures to keep Canadians safe when it comes to travel, and then added “there are always challenges when it comes to the implementation” of new initiatives.

Travelweek called the number and the call was dropped on the first try, however two subsequent calls went through. 

As reported on Feb. 12, the new hotel quarantine measures go into effect this Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.

When the initial announcement about the new hotel quarantine measure came down on Jan. 29, the cost was pegged at upwards of $2,000 per person, however initial reports suggest the cost could be much lower.

The site currently says costs of the hotel stopovers may vary by location, and that the price will include costs associated with the food, room, security, transportation and infection prevention and control measures.

Travellers are responsible for reserving the hotel quarantine stay prior to their departure to Canada, for a stay of up to three nights at a designated hotel in one of the 4 cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal) currently receiving international flights. Proof of booking must be submitted via the ArriveCAN app. With a negative test result, travellers can then take a connecting flight to their end destination.

Here’s a list of participating hotels so far. More hotels will be added in the coming days, according to the site.

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YYC)

Acclaim Hotel

Marriott Calgary Airport

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YVR)

Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport

TORONTO PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YYZ)

Alt Hotel Pearson Airport

Four Points by Sheraton and Element Toronto Airport

Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport

Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport

MONTREAL-PIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YUL)

Aloft Montreal Airport

Crowne Plaza Montreal Airport

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montreal Airport

Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal