Spring Break time is fast approaching, and many in the industry are hoping there’s still a way to salvage bookings as Omicron appears to be peaking or even past peaking in many places in Canada.
Last week, B.C.’s provincial health minister, Dr. Bonnie Henry, gave some hope for travel later this winter.
As Global News reports, she told media that the federal government was reviewing border restrictions, “particularly as in the provinces and territories we have changed our isolation requirements for people who are contacts and for people who test positive, and they’re not aligned anymore with some of the border measures.”
She revealed a border review by the federal government is currently underway, in collaboration with the provinces. “We have had ongoing discussions about the border measures and what tests are required when and why, and I know they are reviewing those in the next few weeks,” she said.
Ottawa’s advisory against non-essential travel currently remains in place. Adult travellers must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada, and present negative tests.
However, a multitude of sometimes conflicting requirements at the provincial level create confusion and uncertainty that industry observers say is stifling consumer confidence to book travel.
This is especially the case concerning positive tests. Issues around isolation times for positive pax, access to tests, and testing exemptions for recovered COVID cases all confuse Canadian travellers, particularly when federal or border regulations conflict with provincial rules. And stories of Canadians being caught in a tight spot outside of Canada - frequently cited as one of Canadian travellers’ top concerns with travelling during the pandemic - continue to make news.
Advice to travellers to always purchase ample insurance is sound, but harmonized - and eased - border restrictions, as we are already seeing in places like Europe, are the key to unlocking Canadians’ travel budgets, especially in time for the tail-end of sun season.
