Canada is back in the bad books for U.S. travellers, and it’s going to hurt Canadian businesses.
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed Canada back at level four in their travel warning system, which is the highest level and indicates “very high” COVID-19 numbers.
Canada was in level four for parts of the pandemic, but then dropped to level three when Canadian COVID cases dropped last year.
“We are obviously disappointed with this,” Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said in an email to jimbyerstravel.com. “Canada is a big destination for many Americans, and this new travel advice will mean more cancellations, further hurting an industry that has been already so hard hit.”
“The other issue … is that this will affect the bookings for the summer. Over the next few months, people will begin to make their plans for summer travel and if there is something like this travel advisory in the way, those bookings that should have come to Canada are going to go elsewhere.”
Canada is one of roughly 80 countries around the world in level four. Other destinations in the “very high” category include Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
“Avoid travel to these destinations” the CDC says in its level four warning. “If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.”
The United States last November lifted restrictions at its land borders with Canada and Mexico for fully vaccinated foreign nationals, the CBC notes.
Canadian leaders late last year urged residents to avoid travelling outside of the country due to high numbers of COVID-19 around the world.
