Ottawa woman in two-week quarantine says she couldn't access ArriveCan app
An Ottawa woman is spending two weeks in quarantine after she says she had trouble accessing the ArriveCan app during a short trip to the United States.
"I viewed this more as being told I'm under house arrest for the next two weeks," said Lorie Rockburn-Dunlop.
What was supposed to be a short shopping trip to Watertown, New York with a friend last week has now become a two-week nightmare for Rockburn-Dunlop.
"We got a notice of non-compliance which tells us that we're under quarantine for 14 days," she said.
Crossing the border in Ogdensburg, Rockburn-Dunlop said she had downloaded the must-have ArriveCan app but couldn't access her account.
"What we said was well when we get to the border we'll explain what happened and maybe they can help," said Rockburn-Dunlop. "I explained to him I knew we needed it and I had downloaded the app but it wasn't sending me an email with my new password. His reply was, 'Well, it's working for others.'"
Since February, the use of the ArriveCan app has been mandatory for all air and land travellers. Last month, the rules changed to allow travellers to re-enter Canada without a negative PCR test for short trips under 72 hours.
However, all travellers must upload their proof of vaccination and travel information into the app.
"It wasn't our fault. We tried all day to try and get onto this app, and then we're called liars," said Rockburn-Dunlop. "There's no recourse for technical issues."
The two-week quarantine is taking a toll. She's a caregiver for her parents, and her 100-year-old dad is recovering from a recent heart attack.
"This means I can't get groceries for two weeks, I can't help them with appointments or things they need to go to. I had to cancel a medical appointment," she said.
She and her friend are both fully vaccinated, but were given two PCR tests at the border and mandated to take them during quarantine. The first test sent off for results already.
"I got my negative results the next morning by email."
Rockburn-Dunlop says she's since received communications by phone and email reminding her of the legal consequences for breaking quarantine.
CTV News Ottawa reached out to the Canadian Border Services Agency for comment, but hadn't heard back at the time of publishing. Last week, the CBSA reminded all returning travellers that they must use the ArriveCan app, regardless of how long or short the trip is.
For now, the Ottawa woman is stuck at home with no answers about what she could have done differently.
"We had the app, it wouldn't work. I feel like the government has let us down."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.