For 2022 Vancouver Cruisers: Vaccine Passport and Mask Mandate is Ending

[otten]

For those cruising out of Vancouver this year, the province just announced today that the indoor mask mandate is ending March 11th and the vaccine passport, which was required to go to restaurants, concerts and other large indoor events, is ending April 8th.

 

[mullysisters]

We live in hope that the feds will follow.

 

[tvguy]

For those cruising out of Vancouver this year, the province just announced today that the indoor mask mandate is ending March 11th and the vaccine passport, which was required to go to restaurants, concerts and other large indoor events, is ending April 8th.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the Federal Government restrictions announced on Monday still put protocols in place for those wanting to cruise in an out of Vancouver.

 

[otten]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the Federal Government restrictions announced on Monday still put protocols in place for those wanting to cruise in an out of Vancouver.

You are correct. It does not apply to the rules for cruises but these rules changes will impact any activities one undertakes in and around Vancouver pre or post cruise.

 

[LAX]

What about entry requirements? Is a negative test still required?

LAX

 

[bcwife76]

What about entry requirements? Is a negative test still required?

LAX

As of right now, yes. There are rumours entry testing is going away very soon but nothing official has been announced.

 

[HeatherLassell]

What about entry requirements? Is a negative test still required?

LAX

Yup, currently still need a negative test however you can now get a rapid antigen test instead of the PCR test.

 

[LAX]

As of right now, yes. There are rumours entry testing is going away very soon but nothing official has been announced.

Yup, currently still need a negative test however you can now get a rapid antigen test instead of the PCR test.

Thanks. I am hoping it will be gone by summer. I just don't want to deal with the possibility of a false positive. If my family or I get sick prior to departure, I can live with that as stuff like that happens. I am not sure how insurance would even come into play if it turns out to be a false positive.

LAX

 

[Groot]

Yup, currently still need a negative test however you can now get a rapid antigen test instead of the PCR test.

What’s the difference between the two?

 

[mousefan73]

What’s the difference between the two?

PCR: more expensive and can take longer unless you pay even more money and get a rapid version. Looks for genetic material of the virus in your system. Very accurate. You need a machine to process the test.

Antigen: Looks for antigens in your system which basically means your body is reacting to a most likely current infection. Less accurate accurate than PCR but can be very accurate if you are showing symptoms. Test results are done and a strip similar to a pregnancy test can be done at home.

as a cruiser what’s important for you to know is that a PCR test can show positive for a past infection. This is why Disney has that 90–10 day rule. If you’ve had Covid within that timeframe before your cruise you can show them a recovered note. This way they won’t test you at port assuming you might come up with a positive from that pass infection.

in a nutshell get the antigen as it’s cheaper and there’s less risk of showing up positive from a pass infection. The only downside is your time frame is limited versus a PCR test before Canadian entry.

Disney uses a PCR test at port this is why it’s important if you’ve had Covid recently to get documentation and submit that to safe travels.

 

[Canadian Girl]

Plenty will still be masking if they want to. At least initially. It will just become optional.

 

[randumb0]

We live in hope that the feds will follow.

What fed mandate are you referring to?

 

[mousefan73]

Plenty will still be masking if they want to. At least initially. It will just become optional.

based on my rather large group of friends and acquaintances most people are masking because they have a trip coming up and they don’t don’t want to test positive for screening. 99% people I know are boosted and nobody’s worried about Covid itself because either most have had it or feel well protected via the vaccine.

It’s like the rumors right now going on when will DCL’s remove masks on board and I always say if I have to be tested anytime during the Sailing or before port my mask is staying on.

We will be in Vancouver for four days before our cruise and even if the mask mandate is gone my mom and I will be wearing 95s Knowing that would be tested at port

Myself personally if I’m traveling especially international it doesn’t hurt me to put it in 95 on if I’m in a crowded store for a few minutes or on a train or bus. if I’m at home my tolerance for risk is higher. If I were to catch Covid at home I know I’m fully covered and have the healthcare I want and the doctors I need. Bing overseas is completely different

 

[lanejudy]

What fed mandate are you referring to?

That poster is Canadian, referring to the Canadian government.

 

[HeatherLassell]

That poster is Canadian, referring to the Canadian government.

Yes exactly. Currently the Canadian government is insisting on citizens and tourists having a negative covid test before they will be allowed in the country.

 

[HeatherLassell]

What’s the difference between the two?

Rapid Antigen tests are way cheaper and seem to be easier to find.

 

[bcwife76]

Rapid Antigen tests are way cheaper and seem to be easier to find.

Except they are not cheap or easy to find in BC No cheap options of going to Shoppers, Costco or Walmart in BC. At home tests using a telehealth service is the cheapest option here. Otherwise you need to pay $$$ to places like CVM medical around the city.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Except they are not cheap or easy to find in BC No cheap options of going to Shoppers, Costco or Walmart in BC. At home tests using a telehealth service is the cheapest option here. Otherwise you need to pay $$$ to places like CVM medical around the city.

Really? Even Manitoba Walmart is in on the rapid test game and they're $19.98. For coming back to Canada in May (if still needed) I will be taking the at home tests the MB Gov gave me and using the telehealth link I posted above.

 

[bcwife76]

Really? Even Manitoba Walmart is in on the rapid test game and they're $19.98. For coming back to Canada in May (if still needed) I will be taking the at home tests the MB Gov gave me and using the telehealth link I posted above.

That's what we plan to do as well. Use the kits that were given to us by the school district (Artron kits, on the Health Canada list) and use Life Centers. But if you are a tourist coming to BC and need a rapid antigen test then your only option is to use an expensive medical clinic.

 

[HeatherLassell]

That's what we plan to do as well. Use the kits that were given to us by the school district (Artron kits, on the Health Canada list) and use Life Centers. But if you are a tourist coming to BC and need a rapid antigen test then your only option is to use an expensive medical clinic.

Why would they have to use an expensive test if they would be able to do it before they went to BC? In the US you can get free tests almost everywhere it seems. Canada is really behind on the testing front. When you needed a PCR to travel Winnipeg had TWO options only. And both were $200+ per person. Ugh.