Land Border Opening?

[bgula]

Can someone tell me something I need to hear?
I still have a trip for May long weekend booked. We are DVC members, resort stay booked with points (with deadline to bank by March 31). The flights are with Southwest, they are paid for with the flight credit from the cancelled trip last summer. They said we have to use it before May 31 or it will expire. I booked the trip last Christmas hoping in 5 months things will turn around. but it is less and less likely we will be able to go without going through all those loopholes and whatnot. I just I need to accept the fact that I will just have to lose that flight credit and cancel another holiday like everyone else.

I just need to hear it from someone that it is not going to happen before I give up hope and cancel my trip.

After your flight credits expire, you can contact Southwest and ask them to convert them to vouchers. The funds will then be good for another 6 months. The only downside is that they take $100 from each person as a fee. If you are going to go this route, I would suggest combining your credits into one credit. If you have 2 different credits, say from one-way flights each way - they will take $100 from each credit you have. Better to combine your credits into one, that way they only take $100 one time. Hopefully that makes sense?

 

[pigletto]

There’s a good article on the CBC this morning that I won’t link because it does mention politicians. But if you look it up you will see that it says that right now there really isn’t any plan for border reopening and there is a growing call to find out what the metrics or framework will be to get us there.

I don’t believe there is “no plan” Iike the title would suggest. Thats just to draw people in. I think there is probably not an official plan that they are willing to release yet. The call is growing for us all to know what that will be, which I am 100% in agreement with. I have a feeling we will know more soon though as I’m seeing the topic come up more and more in media.

 

[NewYKRunner]

There’s a good article on the CBC this morning that I won’t link because it does mention politicians. But if you look it up you will see that it says that right now there really isn’t any plan for border reopening and there is a growing call to find out what the metrics or framework will be to get us there.

I don’t believe there is “no plan” Iike the title would suggest. Thats just to draw people in. I think there is probably not an official plan that they are willing to release yet. The call is growing for us all to know what that will be, which I am 100% in agreement with. I have a feeling we will know more soon though as I’m seeing the topic come up more and more in media.

I think the government(s) is/are waiting to see what happens with daily cases - on both sides of the border. I know at least one vaccine manufacturer has already said they’re adjusting the vaccine for one of the new variants. I’m sure they’re all working on the new variants. So that should really help with number and herd immunity that we’re aiming for.

 

[TammyLynn33]

There’s a good article on the CBC this morning that I won’t link because it does mention politicians. But if you look it up you will see that it says that right now there really isn’t any plan for border reopening and there is a growing call to find out what the metrics or framework will be to get us there.

I don’t believe there is “no plan” Iike the title would suggest. Thats just to draw people in. I think there is probably not an official plan that they are willing to release yet. The call is growing for us all to know what that will be, which I am 100% in agreement with. I have a feeling we will know more soon though as I’m seeing the topic come up more and more in media.

I think people are tired and frustrated . Tourism and people that survive on tourism are hurting . I think pressure is mounting..It will be deciding the hows, quarantines, vaccines ( people who can’t take vaccines , children) quarantines.. I think the details will be the tough decisions
I think by end of summer .. that will keep Canadians safer, allow time for higher population to be vaccinated , see how variants play out .. and get us through a heavy tourism time with our domestic travellers . That said it’s spring I wouldn’t think some of this would have to be announced soon .. even if it’s baby steps

 

[TLPL]

Isn't US vaccine rollout is going much faster then Canada? And Canada has lower cases to begin with? Doesn't it make it less urgent to keep the border closed? We can't keep the border closed forever, there will always be variants , just like Flu has every year, It is impossible to get rid of COVID completely.

 

[ottawamom]

I think it would be safer to keep the border closed until the vaccine has been rolled out to everyone who wants a vaccine has had an opportunity to get their first shot. We still don't know if those vaccinated are able to spread the virus to others. At this stage, what's a few more months. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

There’s a good article on the CBC this morning that I won’t link because it does mention politicians. But if you look it up you will see that it says that right now there really isn’t any plan for border reopening and there is a growing call to find out what the metrics or framework will be to get us there.

I don’t believe there is “no plan” Iike the title would suggest. Thats just to draw people in. I think there is probably not an official plan that they are willing to release yet. The call is growing for us all to know what that will be, which I am 100% in agreement with. I have a feeling we will know more soon though as I’m seeing the topic come up more and more in media.

I read this article too, honestly it offers no new info imo, it just so happens it’s been a year now and they are saying no plans to reopen. I agree that it just means no plan that we know of... I do also think that with summer travel season around the corner the government should update on the situation.
I could see things opening up sooner if we were in the same boat as the US now when it comes to the vaccinations but really because we have so few vaccinated in comparison I can’t see them open before Fall. At least not fully. I totally agree with you, the pressure is building to provide an update.

 

[pigletto]

I think it would be safer to keep the border closed until the vaccine has been rolled out to everyone who wants a vaccine has had an opportunity to get their first shot. We still don't know if those vaccinated are able to spread the virus to others. At this stage, what's a few more months. Better to be safe than sorry.

I don’t think anyone is in disagreement with waiting until its safest. Certainly not me. We do however have a right to know what the perimeters and conditions will be, and the article was discussing more transparency in that area specifically.

 

[Susan2771]

Getting the 1 shot Johnson Johnsoon vaccine would sure help with not needing a second vaccine to be able to travel, and everything else in life. Hope those are coming in April

 

[quandrea]

Not 4 months between shots, it’s 4 or 3 weeks between shots. Followed by two week immunity building period.

They are actually planning to space our shots by four months now.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I was going to come here and say that the border is def not on JT's agenda of items to get going on any time soon. I read it on my travel blog I frequent.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Yeeeep. This is why we just plan to stay within Canada this year. As hard as that is for us!

 

[mamaofsix]

As Canadians we are all allowed to cross. Only by air to leave but we can use the land and air border to return at anytime. I think people are confusing the land border being closed as the border being completely closed. If you don't fly back to Canada you don't even need to do hotel quarantine.

Right, but the whole point of this thread is to discuss the land border opening fully, not just for those who are flying across one way. There are many of us who cannot afford to fly to Disney and must drive.

As the article at the beginning of the thread states, there are now systems in place where even if you do fly across and come back via the land border, you will need to both produce a negative COVID test and quarantine upon your return.

 

[Sue M]

I'm thinking the July 4th date happens, but I do think you'll either have to show proof of vaccination or else quarantine for 14 days.

I’m not holding my breath for that one! Especially with the big delay for 2nd dose.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Right, but the whole point of this thread is to discuss the land border opening fully, not just for those who are flying across one way. There are many of us who cannot afford to fly to Disney and must drive.

As the article at the beginning of the thread states, there are now systems in place where even if you do fly across and come back via the land border, you will need to both produce a negative COVID test and quarantine upon your return.

Also, to add to this - I think we are all talking about being able to actually cross freely (and safely) without jumping through a million hoops.
I know there are ways to travel now but honestly when I look at all the steps you are required to take, loopholes or not I just can’t even think about it.

 

[mamaofsix]

Also, to add to this - I think we are all talking about being able to actually cross freely (and safely) without jumping through a million hoops.
I know there are ways to travel now but honestly when I look at all the steps you are required to take, loopholes or not I just can’t even think about it.

Yes, exactly my thoughts.

 

[ellbell]

Can someone tell me something I need to hear?
I still have a trip for May long weekend booked. We are DVC members, resort stay booked with points (with deadline to bank by March 31). The flights are with Southwest, they are paid for with the flight credit from the cancelled trip last summer. They said we have to use it before May 31 or it will expire. I booked the trip last Christmas hoping in 5 months things will turn around. but it is less and less likely we will be able to go without going through all those loopholes and whatnot. I just I need to accept the fact that I will just have to lose that flight credit and cancel another holiday like everyone else.

I just need to hear it from someone that it is not going to happen before I give up hope and cancel my trip.

You won't need to lose the flight credit

Also, to add to this - I think we are all talking about being able to actually cross freely (and safely) without jumping through a million hoops.
I know there are ways to travel now but honestly when I look at all the steps you are required to take, loopholes or not I just can’t even think about it.

There really aren't many hoops. I would fly inyo buffalo regardless because I have credits. I also don't drive so would need to be picked up or take a bus home anyway. I only added an uber ride. The quarantine isn't new. I don't think that everyone does realize that the border isn't closed because everyone keeps saying the border is closed. The LAND border is closed to casual travelers that don't live here and even then there is an exception if people are driving to Alaska. From where I live it actually costs about the same to fly as it does to drive (unless more than 2 or 3 people are traveling which doesn't apply to everyone). Specially with reduced airfare.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

You won't need to lose the flight credit

There really aren't many hoops. I would fly inyo buffalo regardless because I have credits. I also don't drive so would need to be picked up or take a bus home anyway. I only added an uber ride. The quarantine isn't new. I don't think that everyone does realize that the border isn't closed because everyone keeps saying the border is closed. The LAND border is closed to casual travelers that don't live here and even then there is an exception if people are driving to Alaska. From where I live it actually costs about the same to fly as it does to drive (unless more than 2 or 3 people are traveling which doesn't apply to everyone). Specially with reduced airfare.

Yeah, your situation doesn’t sound too bad but wouldn’t it be nice to drive across without anyone batting an eye - well except the usual border rules.
For most families the current restrictions rule out travel right now. I hope this will change by Fall. I mean it has to at some point.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah, your situation doesn’t sound too bad but wouldn’t it be nice to drive across without anyone batting an eye - well except the usual border rules.
For most families the current restrictions rule out travel right now. I hope this will change by Fall. I mean it has to at some point.

Exactly. We're in NB - international travel is 100% ruled out for us because we would have to drive 3 hours to the nearest still-functioning airport and then fly to Toronto before we can get an international flight anywhere else - at a cost of $450 pp (or put in perspective $1800 for our family of 4), just for the connecting flight. And of course our land border is closed. So there is nowhere we can currently travel outside of Canada.

But of course for that matter, there is nowhere we can travel to within Canada, either, due to the mandatory 2-week quarantine upon return to our province.

 

[mamaofsix]

You won't need to lose the flight credit

There really aren't many hoops. I would fly inyo buffalo regardless because I have credits. I also don't drive so would need to be picked up or take a bus home anyway. I only added an uber ride. The quarantine isn't new. I don't think that everyone does realize that the border isn't closed because everyone keeps saying the border is closed. The LAND border is closed to casual travelers that don't live here and even then there is an exception if people are driving to Alaska. From where I live it actually costs about the same to fly as it does to drive (unless more than 2 or 3 people are traveling which doesn't apply to everyone). Specially with reduced airfare.

You left out the part of needing proof of a negative COVID test before you cross back in. I wouldn't call having to quarantine for 2 weeks "not a hoop." Especially for those who cannot work from home and have children that need to attend school.

As you can likely tell from my handle, we are a family of 8. So, no, it's definitely not the same cost to fly as it is to drive. We'd be looking at quadruple the price. The land border is closed when you can only cross it one way.

This thread is a "watch thread" for when things open up to the point where most of us can get across.