Looks like more entry restrictions for Canada coming
#31
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Of course if travel increases dramatically, we can assume that travel-related cases will as well. The fact that travel is at only 9% of last year's levels means that most of the travel-related cases have been mitigated simply by people staying off planes. The question, I guess, is whether you try to crush that small percentage by reducing travel from 9% to something lower; or whether you leave it as-is and turn your attention elsewhere. It seems travel is a relatively easy bug to quantify and crush, so a good one to go after from a PR perspective.
We know from the government itself that only about two per cent of COVID-19 cases have been brought into the country from overseas while at the same time more than 80 per cent of the 6.5 million total arrivals into Canada between March 31 and Nov. 12 were exempt from the quarantine so why not invest available resources by getting the biggest return possible by listening to the experts who're calling for far more scrutiny of this group? Decisions are being based on optics rather than reason.
#32
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Many of those who are coming into Canada by land are essential to maintaining supply chains but tighter scrutiny on who is truly essential would be worth the effort. What is certain however is that while desirable there is nothing essential about a winter vacation in the sun.
Quebec's earlier spring break in 2020 relative to Ontario is believed to have contributed to its higher infection rate in the early stages. Fewer people travelling reduces the risk of more people being infected particularly if they are vacationing in regions with higher infection rates. Travel restrictions also reduce the likelihood of new strains coming into the country.
And FWIW, infection rates in Ontario and Quebec seem to be moderating from the post-Christmas peaks and since the imposition of tighter lockdowns and mandatory testing requirements.
And FWIW, infection rates in Ontario and Quebec seem to be moderating from the post-Christmas peaks and since the imposition of tighter lockdowns and mandatory testing requirements.
#33
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Air traffic went down 90%, land border is close for non-essential travel, there are the PCR testing and quarantine requirement, and almost nobody have booked a beach vacation anymore since the December travel shaming wave... There is absolutely no comparison possible with March 2020, when 100% of new cases were imported.
The ones that seem to be leaving are the annuals that wont be back until late spring time anyway (and in the meantime will manage to get vaccinated in Florida )
What is certain is that the definition of "essential" is being abused. There is nothing essential about going to see a client outside of Canada or doing a sales call in non-essential industries, and being given a free pass on the return.
#34
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Many of those who are coming into Canada by land are essential to maintaining supply chains but tighter scrutiny on who is truly essential would be worth the effort. What is certain however is that while desirable there is nothing essential about a winter vacation in the sun.
Last edited by tcook052; Jan 23, 2021 at 9:19 am
#35
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I know a guy in Florida who owns a small distribution company for what can be only described as a frivolous luxury good, probably the very definition of non-essential.
Last I heard he had "hired" two Canadians to be his representatives in Canada. Both have been freely back and forth to Florida without having to quarantine on return, with a letter that designates them "essential to the business".
But some keep insisting that a once-weekly half-full planeload of triple-tested people who have been outdoors for a week closed in a resort in Cuba, and who will quarantine for 2 weeks when returning, is more dangerous....
Last I heard he had "hired" two Canadians to be his representatives in Canada. Both have been freely back and forth to Florida without having to quarantine on return, with a letter that designates them "essential to the business".
But some keep insisting that a once-weekly half-full planeload of triple-tested people who have been outdoors for a week closed in a resort in Cuba, and who will quarantine for 2 weeks when returning, is more dangerous....
#36
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And nothing essential to many of the goods being imported either to maintain all supply chains as according to statistics provided by the Canada Border Services Agency cross-border commercial traffic has remained relatively stable throughout the pandemic. Just think how many virus cases there must be from truckers importing non-essential lamp shades or frivolous luxury goods so why not limit those imports if the goal is easy targets to reduce the virus from entering the country? I'd expect however the Canadian public wouldn't welcome those kind of non-essential restrictions as easily as they applaud others.
It seems everyone wants everyone else to be locked down but not them.
#37
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It's the domestic overnights where crews can leave their hotel rooms that cause problems.
Those that suffer from SAD would beg to differ.
#38
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If we were like NZ, no community transmission, anyone coming subject to quarantine without exception, I would be 100% for the managed isolation system in hotels. But in our current situation it would just not change anything, just satisfy the average Canadian voter.
#39
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There are treatments for SAD other than sitting on a beach in the Caribbean.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20364722
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20364722
#40
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Ending the importation of frivolous non-essentials items should done in addition to the crusade against travel not instead of. If the goal is reducing the importation of the virus regardless of the amount then eliminating the importation of frivolous non-essential consumer goods would be as good a place to start as int. travel from the tiny fraction of travelers which pale in comparison to the 30,000 trucks and $1B in goods cross the border every day without comment. Imagine the reduction in cases if that number was, for example, reduced by half but that's unlikely however as it's all about optics rather than science or reason.
#41
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Travel shaming of politicians and CEO's taking a sunny Christmas trip had it's chilling effect, and now while you certainly can travel somewhere warm for your Winter/March break, the proposed quarantine at a hotel will definitely discourage parents with kids that need to be back at school the week after. Can you imagine how awkward it would be to have your kids do their online classes all day in a mediocre hotel room shared with family, while parents are trying to do their remote work from hotel room? I'm sure you can fake the background for your web camera, but being in close quarters with each other will be very trying.
It's a game of virus wack a mole, only the government is swinging the hammer a lot harder. The coming weeks will be very interesting, especially as the more contagious strains start to become more prominent in Canada and the USA. Long term care home in Barrie is already hit hard with the new variant. I think the recent slight drop in cases is a precursor for an even greater storm to come. Hence further restrictions. It may be too early to predict with the new administration, but I have to wonder what new restrictions will be put in place south of the border to close perceived "loopholes"?
It's a game of virus wack a mole, only the government is swinging the hammer a lot harder. The coming weeks will be very interesting, especially as the more contagious strains start to become more prominent in Canada and the USA. Long term care home in Barrie is already hit hard with the new variant. I think the recent slight drop in cases is a precursor for an even greater storm to come. Hence further restrictions. It may be too early to predict with the new administration, but I have to wonder what new restrictions will be put in place south of the border to close perceived "loopholes"?
#42
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Ending the importation of frivolous non-essentials items should done in addition to the crusade against travel not instead of. If the goal is reducing the importation of the virus regardless of the amount then eliminating the importation of frivolous non-essential consumer goods would be as good a place to start as int. travel from the tiny fraction of travelers which pale in comparison to the 30,000 trucks and $1B in goods cross the border every day without comment. Imagine the reduction in cases if that number was, for example, reduced by half but that's unlikely however as it's all about optics rather than science or reason.
#43
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With testing before getting on the plane, wearing masks and maintaining distancing, we already know that flying is low risk. This is why all this travel shaming is ridiculous. If I want to travel, that's my choice and I can be responsible for my own safety without all the nonsense "stay home, save lives" scolding.
Last edited by tcook052; Jan 23, 2021 at 3:52 pm Reason: Off topic
#45
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What no outlet mentioned that the number was derived from a projected rise 10/1000 expected deaths to 13/1000 expected deaths, and has no actual data behind it except for a projection.
But 30% does sound a lot more frightening.
I doubt the govt is going to care about the airlines position on this tho.