Be prepared to pay more for the privilege of travel this winter. Experts say that while airfares have so far remained steady, experts predict a price spike for fall and winter flights as demand returns. Canadian Press reported earlier this week that experts feel demand could rise further if remaining COVID-19 restrictions such as vaccine mandates are lifted, encouraging travellers who were previously hesitant to fly due to the restrictions. “No doubt,” said Martin Firestone, president of insurance provider Travel Secure Inc. “My gut tells me with the removal of restrictions, more people than ever will travel.” Firestone told me Read more
vaccines
This may be the strongest report yet that Canada’s travel rules are about to change. The Globe and Mail today reports that Ottawa will drop the COVID-19 vaccine requirement and end random testing on September 30, as well as make the controversial ArriveCAN app an optional feature. The Globe said the changes haven’t been finalized by Cabinet, but that rules are set to change ten days from now. The paper said it got its information from four unnamed sources. The paper also said the mask requirement will remain in place for passengers on trains and planes, at least for now. Read more
There are more signs today that the Justin Trudeau government is set to drop vaccine mandates and put an end to the unpopular ArriveCAN app, perhaps within the next two weeks. The mask mandate for flights within Canada also appears up for debate. Writing in the Toronto Sun today, columnist Brian Lilley reports that “The ArriveCan app may no longer be mandatory and other remaining travel requirements and restrictions for air travel in Canada could soon be removed. If all goes well, masking could even be made optional within the next few weeks.” Lilley said he’s had conversations with senior Read more
Mandatory Random Testing For Air Arrivals to Canada Resumes Next Week: Tourism Group Blasts Decision
Mandatory random testing of fully vaccinated travellers will resume next Tuesday, and Canadian tourism officials aren’t happy about it. Ottawa paused mandatory random testing for those entering Canada by air on June 11, 2022, as part of a broader strategy to transition testing for air travellers outside of the airports. Mandatory random testing will resume as of July 19, 2022, for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving in Canada by air to the four major Canadian airports—Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, travellers must have been vaccinated with a primary series Read more
Mandatory vaccination rules for Canadians travelling domestically on airplanes and trains are no longer in effect. As today, June 20, Canadians can board a plane in Canada and not have to show proof of vaccination. Departing international passengers also can skip the vaccination proof display. But foreign travellers still need to show proof of vaccination to enter Canada, while unvaccinated Canadians returning home are still be required to quarantine. Depending on what destination they’re visiting, Canadians also might need proof of vaccination to enter another country. Other entry requirements are staying in place, including the requirement to fill out the Read more
