As the Omicron variant spreads around the world, the travel rebound we were seeing just a few days ago is now looking like another setback. How big that setback will be could be determined in a few weeks, experts suggest. Meanwhile, here are some headlines you should be aware of as we head towards the first day of December.
NEW TRAVEL RULES FOR CANADIANS START TODAY
Starting today, unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won’t be allowed to board a plane or train in Canada. Also, a negative COVID-19 test will no longer serve as a substitute for most travellers.
The policy came into effect on Oct. 30, but the Trudeau government allowed a short transition period for unvaccinated travellers who could board as long as they provided a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before their trip, CTV News reports. That transition period is now over.
HONG KONG BANS CANADIANS
Hong Kong has banned non-residents from entering the city from four African countries and plans to expand that to travelers who have been to Australia, Canada, Israel and six European countries in the past 21 days due to fears over Omicron, Global News reports.
The move comes as countries around the world, including Canada, tighten ravel restrictions.
MODERNA CHIEF WARNS OF VACCINE EFFICACY
The CEO of Moderna sparked worldwide concern on Tuesday after warning that existing coronavirus vaccines may not be as effective against the Omicron variant as they are against the Delta variant
“There is no world, I think, where (the effectiveness) is the same level . . . we had with Delta,” Moderna chief executive Stéphane Bancel told the Financial Times. “I think it’s going to be a material drop. I just don’t know how much because we need to wait for the data. But all the scientists I’ve talked to . . . are like ‘this is not going to be good.'”
On the other hand, the head of Pfizer stated the other day that they could probably have a vaccine against the Omicron variant ready within 100 days.
TRAVEL INDUSTRY GROUP SAYS TRAVEL BANS HURT CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Richard Smart, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s chief executive, told Global News on Monday that he hasn’t seen a scramble to change vacation plans yet, but he acknowledged that restrictions Canada placed on those arriving from southern African countries over the weekend could stir up troubles.
“It all comes down to consumer confidence and anything that impacts consumers’ confidence to travel is going to have an affect on the travel industry,” he said. “An announcement like the one that we saw over the weekend has already got the waters rippling.”
WESTJET UNSURE OF OMICRON IMPACT
WestJet interim President and Chief Executive Harry Taylor told BNN/Bloomberg that his company needs more data about the Omicron variant before it can determine what kind of impact it will have on the industry.
“We didn’t expect this development with Omicron and certainly before Friday, as we looked ahead, we were expecting the recovery to continue,” Taylor said. “Our expectation is for a pandemic high in our traditional holiday peak season, followed by continuing recovery into next year.
“Omicron may have some effect on that – we’re not sure yet. It’s probably too early to tell,” he said.
BIDEN NOT EXPECTING MORE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
CNBC reports that President Joe Biden on Monday said he doesn’t expect the U.S. to impose additional travel restrictions to stem the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
The U.S. has banned travel from several South African countries due to the variant, as has Canada.
Biden said the spread of the variant will determined if further restrictions are needed.
“I don’t anticipate that at this point,” he said. The president also said he doesn’t think lockdowns are necessary.
