The Canadian government today announced a temporary negative COVID-19 test requirement for travellers arriving from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao. Air travellers two years of age and older will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test before departing for Canada beginning January 5, the Trudeau government said. The U.S. made a similar announcement a few days ago. Worried about a surge in cases in China and an alleged lack of accurate reporting of COVID-19 infection data, other countries also have placed restrictions on travellers from China. “As of 12:01 a.m. EST on January 5, all Read more
travel restrictions
Battered Southwest Airlines says it expects to operate at something approaching full strength. Following one of the worst performances in U.S. aviation history, with more than 13,000 cancelled flights since December 22, the airline says it expects to operate with “minimal disruptions” on the day before New Year’s Eve. Southwest cancelled 2,362 flights on Thursday (57% of all scheduled departures), according to FlightAware.Com. But the website shows only 41 cancellations (1% of flights) as of 11 a.m. Eastern Time today (Dec. 30, 2022). Thousands of passengers are still trying to find their way home, or to their final destination, following Read more
The U.S. on Wednesday announced new COVID-19 testing requirements for all travelers from China. But Canada has yet to follow suit. Starting January 5, all travelers to the U.S. from China, Macau and Hong Kong will need to take a COVID-19 test no more than two days before travel and provide a negative test before boarding their flight. The testing applies to anyone two years and older, the CBC reports. Other countries made the move before the U.S., but Canada has yet to take similar action. A spokesperson for Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, said Canada is monitoring COVID-19 case numbers Read more
Travel to Hong Kong just got a lot easier. The Hong Kong SAR Government today announced the lifting of all mandatory PCR test requirements for inbound travelers upon arrival in Hong Kong. They’re also getting rid of the Vaccine Pass, which allowed access to only specified premises and other measures starting from tomorrow, December 29. “The new measures mark a key milestone for tourism revival and the full reopening of the tourism doors of Hong Kong,” said Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “Visitors can now fully enjoy Hong Kong’s diverse offerings once they arrive in Read more
An influential U.S. Senator is ratcheting up the pressure on President Joe Biden to fully open the U.S. border. Canada and the Trudeau government allowed its COVID-19 travel restrictions to expire on Saturday, October 1. But the U.S. still requires all non-residents to show proof of vaccination before entering. Critics say that’s hurting American tourism. “We urge the United States to reciprocate the policy of our Canadian neighbours by easing our own COVID-19 restrictions for the sake of our northern border communities and their economies,” New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins (western New York) said in a Read more
