Montreal woman turned away at U.S. border told to quarantine for 14 days

A Montreal woman denied entry into the United States while trying to visit her new grandson says she was told by a Canada border services agentto self-isolate for 14 days, even though she never got across.

Colette Mersy was trying to drive to New York on Friday to see her daughter and her newborn baby.

She tried to go through border at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, but American authorities wouldn't let her into the country because her trip was deemed non-essential.

She saidshe didn't leave the parking lot, and spoke to two U.S. border services agents while wearing a mask and respecting physical distancing rules.

When she turned back to the Canadian gate,a Canada Border Services Agency officer told her she would have to self-quarantine for 14 days, she said.

"I understand if you are coming from abroad, but I didn't enter the space; I'm not coming from abroad," Mersy said.

"I find this totally stupid."

She was told that the moment she crossed the Canadian checkpoint, she had entered American territory, even if she was denied entry to the United States, Mersy said.

WATCH |Montreal woman turned away at U.S. border told to quarantine for 14 days:

Montreal woman turned away at U.S. border told to quarantine for 14 days

4 years ago

Duration 3:53

Colette Mersy was trying to visit her grandson but never got across the border. She was still told to quarantine. She tells her story to CBC Montreal's Debra Arbec.

In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency said there are no exemptions to the quarantine rules for people who are denied entry into the United States, only for those travelling for essential purposes such as trade.

Earlier this month,Canada broadened its eligibility criteria for people coming to the country from abroad on compassionate grounds.

The changes governing family reunificationinclude exceptions for certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents including couples who have been dating for at least a year, including their children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents.

"This allows close family members to enter Canada, but they are not exempt from quarantine," said immigration lawyer Krishna Gagn.

The rule does not apply to people entering the U.S.

Despite border closure, flights allowed to U.S.

Mersy saidshe was shocked to hear from U.S. border agents that she could go see her daughter and new granddaughter in New York if she took a plane there.

"If I had known what to expect, I would never have tried to cross the land border, I would have taken a plane," she said.

While trips viathe U.S. land border areclosedto non-essential traffic,Canadians can still fly to the United States for leisure travel.

By contrast, Canada prohibits Americans from entering by any mode of transportation, unless they obtain a special exemption, such as those for family members.

"If that makes sense, I'm not sure," said Gagn, "but when she comes back for Canada, she will have to quarantine for 14 days."