Canada to announce new travel restrictions

[Gigi22]

If I base myself with what I have seen the federal government do so far, this will be ineffective from day 1. In Quebec the pandemic spread from travelers from Europe, China and New York. It does not make sense to restrict travel only to Sun destinations and permit travel to other parts of the world. The policy really targets people traveling south and that makes no sense.

Thinking about the dates, they cover March break/spring break and Easter, plus all the remaining cold winter weather during which people would normally want to go south. Basically stopping a repeat of much of what we saw as a result of travel over the winter holiday break.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@badiggio, that is what I meant as well.

 

[bababear_50]

Here's my cold weather solution
A Cabin in the backyard. Lol
https://www.wayfair.ca/outdoor/pdp/willion-cabin-1-person-far-infrared-sauna-wlln1012.html
Hugs
Mel

 

[vegs1]

Why is it so hard for Trudeau to give us the date of when the hotel quarantine would start? I feel like he is always stringing the public along. Lets just move on...

CTV reported that it will start on Monday but I didn’t hear Trudeau say that.

Edited to say that on Global news, they said that no date has been set but the provincial government in Ontario is starting mandatory testing upon arrival at Pearson starting Monday. If you decline, it’s a $750 fine.

 

[hdrolfe]

Ontario said Feb 1st didn't they? So Monday.

I'm sure it's to curb the winter travel, which is vacations. I think they would have been better off to simply better define what essential travel is. I'm all for any restrictions that will help keep cases down until vaccines are better deployed. I'm just not sure they really know what will actually help at this point.

 

[damo]

Ontario said Feb 1st didn't they? So Monday.

I'm sure it's to curb the winter travel, which is vacations. I think they would have been better off to simply better define what essential travel is. I'm all for any restrictions that will help keep cases down until vaccines are better deployed. I'm just not sure they really know what will actually help at this point.

Since we've never been down this road before, I'm sure they don't know how much difference things will make. I assume that the statistics that have come out over the last two months about people being infected by those who have travelled has made them realize that something has to be done.

The problem with just letting everyone quarantine on their own, is that even with strict monitoring with phone calls and check-ins, people can still have others visit them and get infected and people will still risk being fined and will venture out.

I don't think anything is a perfect solution and no matter what is done there will be some people who say it is too much and others who say it is too little.

 

[Avasmama]

Ontario said Feb 1st didn't they? So Monday.

I'm sure it's to curb the winter travel, which is vacations. I think they would have been better off to simply better define what essential travel is. I'm all for any restrictions that will help keep cases down until vaccines are better deployed. I'm just not sure they really know what will actually help at this point.

No, that’s the day international flights have to go to the major airports Trudeau listed. Hotel quarantine has not been mentioned. Trudeau said ‘asap in the coming weeks’.

 

[Avasmama]

Here is the info https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-...R780Stt4CstxzCWYZFYIIfZVeimG48UmcYT9QKNHS-vPM

 

[pigletto]

Here is the info https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-...R780Stt4CstxzCWYZFYIIfZVeimG48UmcYT9QKNHS-vPM

It’s a pretty massive undertaking . If they had a date set they would tell us but I imagine they are working on the details as quickly as they can .

 

[mshanson3121]

It’s a pretty massive undertaking . If they had a date set they would tell us but I imagine they are working on the details as quickly as they can .

At our (NB) press conference today, as of midnight tonight anyone entering the province (even residents who are workers etc) have to quarantine 14 days and they made it clear they want it done at a hotel. Quarantine is only to be done in home as a last resort. Also, from now one if one person has to quarantine due to symptoms - the entire house has to. No one is allowed to go to work, school etc.... If Person A is symptomatic and then Person B becomes symptomatic (or tests positive) a few days later, then the 14 day quarantine period starts over. So, take a family of four who all get it, spaced out over 3-5 days each....you could be missing school/work for a month.

 

[bookbabe626]

Since we've never been down this road before, I'm sure they don't know how much difference things will make. I assume that the statistics that have come out over the last two months about people being infected by those who have travelled has made them realize that something has to be done.

The problem with just letting everyone quarantine on their own, is that even with strict monitoring with phone calls and check-ins, people can still have others visit them and get infected and people will still risk being fined and will venture out.

In most articles lately they mention the fact that something like 80% of the cases and deaths are in long term care homes and industrial/warehouse settings, and under 2% of the cases are related to travel. So, what do they do? They focus on travel, instead of the actual problem which is the poor conditions and staffing issues in LTC, and the poor working conditions and lack of paid sick days for workers.

And many other countries seem to have no problem enforcing quarantines. People actually get LARGE fines and in some cases jail terms for breaching quarantine. Google the Cayman Islands quarantine situation. They even jailed an 18yo American girl who violated her quarantine as well as her Caymanian boyfriend who helped her. They ended up only serving a couple months in prison, but you can bet it made others think twice about not following the rules. Fines there are $10k, and they actually enforce it and fine people the full amount. As such, they’ve eliminated community spread entirely. Unlike here where even if you get caught breaking quarantine it’s just a slap on the wrist.

My mind is just boggled at our government‘s slipshod approach to this whole thing. It’s like they don’t care about actually solving anything, they just want to look like they’re doing something without actually having to put any effort in.

 

[wdwmom3]

In most articles lately they mention the fact that something like 80% of the cases and deaths are in long term care homes and industrial/warehouse settings, and under 2% of the cases are related to travel. So, what do they do? They focus on travel, instead of the actual problem which is the poor conditions and staffing issues in LTC, and the poor working conditions and lack of paid sick days for workers.

And many other countries seem to have no problem enforcing quarantines. People actually get LARGE fines and in some cases jail terms for breaching quarantine. Google the Cayman Islands quarantine situation. They even jailed an 18yo American girl who violated her quarantine as well as her Caymanian boyfriend who helped her. They ended up only serving a couple months in prison, but you can bet it made others think twice about not following the rules. Fines there are $10k, and they actually enforce it and fine people the full amount. As such, they’ve eliminated community spread entirely. Unlike here where even if you get caught breaking quarantine it’s just a slap on the wrist.

My mind is just boggled at our government‘s slipshod approach to this whole thing. It’s like they don’t care about actually solving anything, they just want to look like they’re doing something without actually having to put any effort in.

Travel from the UK had been directly linked to a long term care home where almost all the residents and many staff members have tested positive. Many of the residents of have died.

The two are related.

Just because they also have to fix other things (I agree about the paid sick days and long term care homes) doesn’t mean you ignore travel. Also the travel restrictions now are really to prevent new strains.

Also the travel is federal jurisdiction. Paid sick leave and long term care homes are provincial. The provinces need to step up and deal with that.

 

[Avasmama]

In most articles lately they mention the fact that something like 80% of the cases and deaths are in long term care homes and industrial/warehouse settings, and under 2% of the cases are related to travel. So, what do they do? They focus on travel, instead of the actual problem which is the poor conditions and staffing issues in LTC, and the poor working conditions and lack of paid sick days for workers.

And many other countries seem to have no problem enforcing quarantines. People actually get LARGE fines and in some cases jail terms for breaching quarantine. Google the Cayman Islands quarantine situation. They even jailed an 18yo American girl who violated her quarantine as well as her Caymanian boyfriend who helped her. They ended up only serving a couple months in prison, but you can bet it made others think twice about not following the rules. Fines there are $10k, and they actually enforce it and fine people the full amount. As such, they’ve eliminated community spread entirely. Unlike here where even if you get caught breaking quarantine it’s just a slap on the wrist.

My mind is just boggled at our government‘s slipshod approach to this whole thing. It’s like they don’t care about actually solving anything, they just want to look like they’re doing something without actually having to put any effort in.

I implore people to look into just how horrible Legault is doing in Quebec. Our death rate in the CHSLD is not because of travel. I'm truly sick of this province and its corruption.

 

[TammyLynn33]

I agree travel can’t be totally ignored. That said I think a lot of it is based on poor wages for PSWs and LTC staff that force them into having multiple jobs ( some are working LTC and retail or Uber eats etc ) and living with roommates regardless their age. Even if you are being what you think 100% safe and one of your roommates comes home from a trip and is infected ( which I think was what caused Barrie ) same as LTC residents , kids away at colleges off campus or in dorms, migrant workers ( who will be returning soon ) .. all congregate living situations are at high risk .
Look at the story of the psw that was living in a homeless shelter in Ottawa. People deserve to be paid to be able to afford accommodations..

It certainly couldn’t hurt to pay these people living wages including sick pay .

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/loca...night-the-economic-realities-of-life-as-a-psw

 

[damo]

In most articles lately they mention the fact that something like 80% of the cases and deaths are in long term care homes and industrial/warehouse settings, and under 2% of the cases are related to travel. So, what do they do? They focus on travel, instead of the actual problem which is the poor conditions and staffing issues in LTC, and the poor working conditions and lack of paid sick days for workers.

And many other countries seem to have no problem enforcing quarantines. People actually get LARGE fines and in some cases jail terms for breaching quarantine. Google the Cayman Islands quarantine situation. They even jailed an 18yo American girl who violated her quarantine as well as her Caymanian boyfriend who helped her. They ended up only serving a couple months in prison, but you can bet it made others think twice about not following the rules. Fines there are $10k, and they actually enforce it and fine people the full amount. As such, they’ve eliminated community spread entirely. Unlike here where even if you get caught breaking quarantine it’s just a slap on the wrist.

My mind is just boggled at our government‘s slipshod approach to this whole thing. It’s like they don’t care about actually solving anything, they just want to look like they’re doing something without actually having to put any effort in.

2% are DIRECTLY related to travel. However, that 2% infects a much higher percent.

From CP24:

"In December, 486 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in recent travellers, the most since March and up from 312 in November and 204 in October. Despite mandatory two-week quarantines for international travellers, there were 1,258 COVID-19 cases confirmed in people who had close contact with a recent traveller in December, up from 744 in November and 704 in October.

In the first three weeks of January, 384 travel cases and 607 traveller-contact cases were confirmed."

And if we take that secondary number and keep expanding it, it continues to grow and grow. That small number that is travelling is having an impact.

Can other measures still be taken? Certainly. But I don't think travel should be ignored.

 

[mshanson3121]

2% are DIRECTLY related to travel. However, that 2% infects a much higher percent.

From CP24:

"In December, 486 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in recent travellers, the most since March and up from 312 in November and 204 in October. Despite mandatory two-week
quarantines for international travellers, there were 1,258 COVID-19 cases confirmed in people who had close contact with a recent traveller in December, up from 744 in November and 704 in October.

In the first three weeks of January, 384 travel cases and 607 traveller-contact cases were confirmed."

That small number that is travelling is having an impact.

Can other measures still be taken? Certainly. But I don't think travel should be ignored.

Exactly. I mean heck, the only reason we're even in this mess is because if travel. If flights had been shut down right away and borders closed...

 

[damo]

Exactly. I mean heck, the only reason we're even in this mess is because if travel. If flights had been shut down right away and borders closed...

Exactly. Travel brought the first starter cases here originally and new variant starter cases got here through travel.

We will never be able to eliminate Covid in Canada if we keep bringing fresh starter cases in from outside our country.

 

[TammyLynn33]

Exactly. Travel brought the first starter cases here originally and new variant starter cases got here through travel.

We will never be able to eliminate Covid in Canada if we keep bringing fresh starter cases in from outside our country.

Agree those are facts and in no way am I arguing this point at all but I’m really starting to wonder if this isn’t a new way of life . Look at all the diseases almost eradicated but that every now and then pop up . Without the whole world being on board at exactly the same time , how do we ever allow travel again ? It’s scary to me ,very scary . We all took travel for granted before, families are spread out because it was so easy to hop a flight, my kids have no clue when they will see their dad again, never mind distant relatives and friends ..

 

[damo]

Agree those are facts and in no way am I arguing this point at all but I’m really starting to wonder if this isn’t a new way of life . Look at all the diseases almost eradicated but that every now and then pop up . Without the whole world being on board at exactly the same time , how do we ever allow travel again ? It’s scary to me ,very scary . We all took travel for granted before, families are spread out because it was so easy to hop a flight, my kids have no clue when they will see their dad again, never mind distant relatives and friends ..

I have no doubt this will become endemic and we will need regular shots, just like for the flu.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Exactly. Travel brought the first starter cases here originally and new variant starter cases got here through travel.

We will never be able to eliminate Covid in Canada if we keep bringing fresh starter cases in from outside our country.

Just remember, the borders aren't really closed. Cross border workers and truck drivers are still crossing in and out of the country on a daily basis, and are equally as likely to be infected with Covid as any other traveler....and they aren't subject to ANY quarantine requirements.