Air travel policy updates

[Mikey15]

But wouldn’t you have to show a test when crossing into the US? It’s just too complicated. Trader Joe’s will have to wait

US land border currently has no testing requirement (for returning Americans or essential workers). We don't know yet what rules will be developed if they open back up to Canadians, August 9th or sooner, but I'd consider it doubtful they'd come up with one now at least.

 

[Sue M]

They don't require the expensive test and from someone else's comments it's not required when driving, only flying

I thought you’d need the expensive test because that’s the one Canada wants Returning.

 

[hdrolfe]

I thought you’d need the expensive test because that’s the one Canada wants Returning.

I guess? but you could go to Walgreens in the US and get their free one? It's quick results I believe. I'd stop and do that as soon as you get there and then do whatever shopping etc while you wait.

 

[ellbell]

I guess? but you could go to Walgreens in the US and get their free one? It's quick results I believe. I'd stop and do that as soon as you get there and then do whatever shopping etc while you wait.

It's 1 to 2 days and that isn't a guarantee.

 

[Starwind]

I guess? but you could go to Walgreens in the US and get their free one? It's quick results I believe. I'd stop and do that as soon as you get there and then do whatever shopping etc while you wait.

The Walgreen's test that is acceptable for Canada AND has the shortest time is their "Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW) Rapid Molecular Test" but according to their website the "Results are available within 24 hours" [in contrast to their rapid antigen test which has results within an hour; but the antigen test is not acceptable to Canada].

So for a day trip, if you use the Walgreens ID NOW test, you might have to wait upto 24h for results...

See Walgreens covid testing webpage for more info: https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidinfoLP_testinginfoLP_fy21

 

[Sue M]

The Walgreen's test that is acceptable for Canada AND has the shortest time is their "Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW) Rapid Molecular Test" but according to their website the "Results are available within 24 hours" [in contrast to their rapid antigen test which has results within an hour; but the antigen test is not acceptable to Canada].

So for a day trip, if you use the Walgreens ID NOW test, you might have to wait upto 24h for results...

See Walgreens covid testing webpage for more info: https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidinfoLP_testinginfoLP_fy21

That’s what i thought

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Hey guys - had a busy few days, just catching up on the news… with today’s announcement that the USA land border will be closed to non essential travel until at least Aug 21 - nothing changed crossing by air correct? I keep seeing headlines saying USA border still closed to non essential travel, but it’s just land border still? We are supposed to fly Aug 15 Toronto to Orlando round trip.

 

[BlancheNeige7]

Hey guys - had a busy few days, just catching up on the news… with today’s announcement that the USA land border will be closed to non essential travel until at least Aug 21 - nothing changed crossing by air correct? I keep seeing headlines saying USA border still closed to non essential travel, but it’s just land border still? We are supposed to fly Aug 15 Toronto to Orlando round trip.

That is my understanding. We are set to leave from Toronto on Aug 14th!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

That is my understanding. We are set to leave from Toronto on Aug 14th!

Oh my that’s almost the same time. Are you getting nervous? Lol
Any kids coming with you?
Edited because I asked if from Toronto and you actually said... oh wow ... sorry long day today!

 

[Mike2023]

Just stopping in to say thanks for this thread. Lots of info, to much actually. lol

We have a universal trip booked over thanksgiving weekend. Couple more weeks to cancel without penalty, trying to wrap my head around all of this. lol

 

[BlancheNeige7]

Oh my that’s almost the same time. Are you getting nervous? Lol
Any kids coming with you?
Edited because I asked if from Toronto and you actually said... oh wow ... sorry long day today!

I am getting a bit nervous after looking at the news.... trying not to get too caught up. lol! Hoping to see the situation improve in the next few weeks as it did last year!

We originally had planned a family trip with our DD8 and DD10, but decided to make it couples only. I did feel a little guilty at first, but heck... they have been so many times and we truly need some adult time alone after being together 24/7! lol! They will have a blast with the in-laws! We have our family vacation planned for March Break 2022. How about yourself?

 

[flav]

We have our family vacation planned for March Break 2022. How about yourself?

Because Canada maintained the pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated people, we canceled our August Florida trip as we do not want to be stranded in quarantine there if one of us would unluckily test positive.

Because USA did not open its borders to fully vaccinated Canadian, we canceled our August East Coast road trip.

We are planning a trip for March Break 2022 but we are now wondering when Canada will stop requiring a pre-departure test. We do not want to have to cancel again.

ETA:

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I am getting a bit nervous after looking at the news.... trying not to get too caught up. lol! Hoping to see the situation improve in the next few weeks as it did last year!

We originally had planned a family trip with our DD8 and DD10, but decided to make it couples only. I did feel a little guilty at first, but heck... they have been so many times and we truly need some adult time alone after being together 24/7! lol! They will have a blast with the in-laws! We have our family vacation planned for March Break 2022. How about yourself?

We are also a bit nervous just because it’s not like things are fully open, even if we go and don’t break any laws. We are only going because we are fully vaccinated, well DS 12 supposed to go for his second dose tomorrow... nervous about that too, just nervous about everything these days. As I said somewhere else, until we are sitting on the plane I will be worry a bit. We do plan to continue with our plans though, unless things change. We only plan to take DS12 with us.
Are you flying air Canada? Which day do you return? Our flight is Aug 15, return Aug 22.
We were thinking to drive as I’m off til end of the month but now we know that won’t happen with USA keeping land border closed still. I’m thinking we will rent a car for one day in Orlando to do the pre-departure testing and maybe some shopping or will arrange a cab to take us.
Lots of moving parts but hoping it will be worth it in the end!

 

[Sue M]

We are also a bit nervous just because it’s not like things are fully open, even if we go and don’t break any laws. We are only going because we are fully vaccinated, well DS 12 supposed to go for his second dose tomorrow... nervous about that too, just nervous about everything these days. As I said somewhere else, until we are sitting on the plane I will be worry a bit. We do plan to continue with our plans though, unless things change. We only plan to take DS12 with us.
Are you flying air Canada? Which day do you return? Our flight is Aug 15, return Aug 22.
We were thinking to drive as I’m off til end of the month but now we know that won’t happen with USA keeping land border closed still. I’m thinking we will rent a car for one day in Orlando to do the pre-departure testing and maybe some shopping or will arrange a cab to take us.
Lots of moving parts but hoping it will be worth it in the end!

We’re ships in the night lol. We depart Orlando Aug 14. I looked at renting a car for 1 day to do test. Easiest was to pick up at Disney Car Care, but there were no cars available. There’s a big shortage and IF you can find one cost is probably really high.
I think I’m going to go the Uber or Mears taxi route For test. I wish Walgreens wasn’t drive thru.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We’re ships in the night lol. We depart Orlando Aug 14. I looked at renting a car for 1 day to do test. Easiest was to pick up at Disney Car Care, but there were no cars available. There’s a big shortage and IF you can find one cost is probably really high.
I think I’m going to go the Uber or Mears taxi route For test. I wish Walgreens wasn’t drive thru.

Haha!
You depart for Orlando August 14 or coming back to Canada?
I was able to reserve a car on Aug 19 from the Disney car care and lots of cars were available?
I wish Walgreens wasn’t a drive through test either but it’s probably what we’ll have to do unless we find out about other testing options. If we do I’ll be sure to post here of course. At this point, Walgreens seems like the best choice.
edited to add: one day car rental standard size car is $90 taxes in. There are compacts about $76 was the cheapest one.I figured cab will cost us $50ish by the time we add a generous tip. We might still arrange a cab, just not sure. My husband prefers to pay a bit more and rent a car, but it will take more time out of our vacation.

 

[BlancheNeige7]

Are you flying air Canada? Which day do you return? Our flight is Aug 15, return Aug 22.
We were thinking to drive as I’m off til end of the month but now we know that won’t happen with USA keeping land border closed still. I’m thinking we will rent a car for one day in Orlando to do the pre-departure testing and maybe some shopping or will arrange a cab to take us.
Lots of moving parts but hoping it will be worth it in the end!

I am sure it will be worth it!

We are flying Air Canada direct morning flight on the 14th and coming back on the 21st. I really miss traveling and am soooo looking forward to it! Will also have to figure out our testing plan for the return and the Shoppers test kits for departure.

Because Canada maintained the pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated people, we canceled our August Florida trip as we do not want to be stranded in quarantine there if one of us would unluckily test positive.

ETA:

I understand... I was really hoping the requirement would be removed for fully vaxed. Our plan is to drive home should one of us test positive. Not idea, but I would not be able to leave without a plan in place should this occur.

We are both fully-vaccinated and plan on taking extra precautions (masking with KN95 when in crowds, avoiding long meals inside...). That said, if cases counts stay the way they are or go up, we might cancel. Will wait until the very last minute to do so...

 

[KNovacovschi]

Yesterday’s announcement does not affect air travel at all. I personally think they just made the announcement because of they didn’t it would’ve had to reopen today but I think it will reopen around Aug 9th however even if it doesn’t Aug 21st isn’t even 2 weeks after.

 

[Juventus]

I'm 15-22 out of Toronto. Booked shoppers antigen test for 3 days before (but you don't need to book), and going to Uber/taxi for Walgreens test (I think you can book a few days before...do they take walk ups (drive thru)?) or testing by old town (testing LLC: a more expensive PCR test but it's my back up.

I don't Uber much: When I book a driver can I add a note about the drive thru test?

 

[Princess KP]

I'm 15-22 out of Toronto. Booked shoppers antigen test for 3 days before (but you don't need to book), and going to Uber/taxi for Walgreens test (I think you can book a few days before...do they take walk ups (drive thru)?) or testing by old town (testing LLC: a more expensive PCR test but it's my back up.

I don't Uber much: When I book a driver can I add a note about the drive thru test?

I fly out of Toronto on the 22nd. Hope those that are travelling at the beginning of August come back and share their experiences.
Did you have to pay for the Antigen test at Shoppers when you booked it?

With Uber, I don't think you can add a note. My concern with Uber was getting a driver that may not be comfortable with taking us to get tested for Covid and we would then have to scramble to find someone else. I was going to either get a taxi from outside our hotel so I can explain what we are doing or rent a car. I have a car reserved but pickup is from the Hilton near DS and it's expensive - $106 for the day.
Testing LLC will also be my backup.

 

[Susan2771]

I'm 15-22 out of Toronto. Booked shoppers antigen test for 3 days before (but you don't need to book), and going to Uber/taxi for Walgreens test (I think you can book a few days before...do they take walk ups (drive thru)?) or testing by old town (testing LLC: a more expensive PCR test but it's my back up.

I don't Uber much: When I book a driver can I add a note about the drive thru test?

At the Shoppers my parents are going to, they did have to book an appointment. They are only going to process 1 client an hour who needs the antigen test. My parents had to book separate appointments. Best to check with your local pharmacist how they are processing patients.