There are a select few people who will be now be able to bypass the Canadian border restrictions that have been in place since mid-March.

After hinting for some weeks that he would be taking some action to reunite families that were separated by pandemic travel restrictions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today confirmed that family members of Canadians citizens or permanent residents will be permitted to come to Canada, even if they themselves do not hold any legal status here.

.@CanBorder announces changes to travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents https://t.co/wqF1JTfuTM

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) June 8, 2020

In this case, according to the Canada Border Services Agency, an immediate family member is defined as a spouse or common-law partner; a dependent child of the Canadian resident or of their spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent child of a dependent child; a parent or step-parent of the Canadian resident or their spouse or common-law partner; or a guardian or tutor.

"This is an incredibly difficult time to be apart from a spouse, a child or mom and dad," the PM said at his media briefing on Monday. "That's why we're bringing in a limited exemption to allow immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents to come to Canada."

The rule will take effect at 12 a.m. on Tuesday morning, and will only apply to those who do not have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or any symptoms of the infectious disease.

Trudeau also reiterated that any new arrivals will have to strictly isolate themselves for 14 days, or else face serious penalties under the federal Quarantine Act.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mandicino added that the change is not meant for people to take repeated trips, or cross the border simply for an event or special occasion.

The immigration minister clarifies this family reunification move is just about the Canada/US border, does not apply elsewhere.

— Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) June 8, 2020

At the end of last month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his support of the idea, saying "I always want to keep a right border and more screening at the border, but family reunification is so important to all of us — I think it's absolutely critical," in a press conference on May 29.

"I support what the Prime Minister is recommending. It's a relatively small group I hear and nothing is more important than family in these situations."

Other complicated scenario: Mixed nationality households. Example: Washington DC, because of its multilateral institutions, has lots of households with 2 or, in the case of couples with a US-born child, even 3 passports under one roof. No idea how this policy change applies there

— Alexander Panetta (@Alex_Panetta) June 8, 2020

Meanwhile, residents eagerly await news about when borders will reopen to all non-essential travelers again, with the current Canada-U.S. border closure set to remain in place until at least June 21.