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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.