New USA travel announcement

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Well, I stand corrected. Unlike some folks here, I don't mind admitting when I'm out of date on something. I don't have some sort of agenda to further. I participate in these discussions because I was raised to appreciate different perspectives.

As for the length of time it took you to find that latest update, congratulations. You win! I took a cursory look for numbers before I called to see if my mom was well enough to talk for a few minutes. Sounds like my life might be a little more complicated right now than yours is. Consider yourself very fortunate.

Glad to see Ontario headed in the right direction finally. The longer the virus is an issue, the longer it will be before I can see my loved ones, and the longer their lives are negatively impacted by the lockdown.

Ugh. I feel for you with the mother situation. My parents are both in their mid-nineties and live on their own so they aren't getting the vaccinations as early as the seniors living in retirement homes. My mom told me the other day that she wants to make a trip to see her new great-grandson for the first time (he's 4 months old) when the lockdown has lifted. I didn't have the heart to tell her that we weren't going to risk her life for that. Thank goodness for the internet and being able to share videos and pictures (and that she is able to do that!).
 
Ugh. I feel for you with the mother situation. My parents are both in their mid-nineties and live on their own so they aren't getting the vaccinations as early as the seniors living in retirement homes. My mom told me the other day that she wants to make a trip to see her new great-grandson for the first time (he's 4 months old) when the lockdown has lifted. I didn't have the heart to tell her that we weren't going to risk her life for that. Thank goodness for the internet and being able to share videos and pictures (and that she is able to do that!).

You and Gina-Gina have my sympathies. It is another slice of he— when you can’t see your parents for a prolonged period. And this situation overall is just dreadful. On the brighter side, that new fast test has just been re-approved. It is so simple, one of the drs. trained his 10 year old how to do it! So, maybe a bit of hope there.
 
What do you mean ignorance? Whenever you book something that is non refundable it’s smart to get travel insurance if you aren’t prepared to lose the money. I’ve had to use it before for other reasons, so have other people I’ve known.

Ugh. I had planned for a Jan 2021 family Hawaii trip (wife, myself, son and DIL, daughter and SIL and three grandchildren) and since it was for a larger amount of people, I started doing my homework looking for deals. In Jan 2020 I had secured a 3 Br condo on Wakiki Beach through VRBO with free cancellation, I could cancel Aulani points if need be so no insurance required there and then booked a 3 Bedroom at Maui for $6,800 US with no cancellation. I put it on my credit card which has free trip cancellation and also purchased cancellation insurance through CAA. This was done last January pre-Covid. Even though there is no mention of a pandemic or travel bans etc. Etc. In my policy, trying to get my money back will be/is a challenge as they are always coming up with a new excuse to get out of paying me. Trip cancellation insurance sometimes isn’t the answer. Sometimes, Insurance companies are your friend until you need them.
 
Our positivity rate is below 7%, whereas Ontario is 9.1 (the most current I could find). Our 7 day rolling average is currently at 1791, which is much lower than the most current Canada number that I could source. I assume that Canadian rolling average would be fairly indicative of the Ontario number as its the most populus province and the Toronto region has been hit exceptionally hard..

We have been under this second major shutdown since mid November. We had a lengthy one in the spring as well. We are just now gaining back a few freedoms like bowling and movie theaters, but there are major restrictions for all of those businesses even though they are technically open. We have a long way to go, but we are seeing some small glimpses of hope.

I am profoundly sad that the vaccinations are rolling out so much slower than we were promised (in both countries). My mom's health has taken a very grave turn over the past week, and I am slowly having to come to terms with the reality that, barring a miracle, I will most likely not get a chance to see her before she passes away. I cannot even describe what that feeling is like. I would gladly trade my Florida vacations for the next 10 years if I could just be with her right now. The current travel restrictions imposed by both countries combined with our responsibilities here in the US (and a unique set of family circumstances back home) mean those restrictions essentially make it impossible for us to travel. The effects of Covid cut much deeper than just the obvious. I've heard the argument far too many times over the past few months that a person's mental health is less important than the risk of catching Covid, but let me tell you, this is a special kind of hell that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I pray for all of us right now. Stay safe, @damo.
I’m very very sorry to hear about your mother Gina . And I can only imagine how much this must hurt.
 

Our positivity rate is below 7%, whereas Ontario is 9.1 (the most current I could find). Our 7 day rolling average is currently at 1791, which is much lower than the most current Canada number that I could source. I assume that Canadian rolling average would be fairly indicative of the Ontario number as its the most populus province and the Toronto region has been hit exceptionally hard..

We have been under this second major shutdown since mid November. We had a lengthy one in the spring as well. We are just now gaining back a few freedoms like bowling and movie theaters, but there are major restrictions for all of those businesses even though they are technically open. We have a long way to go, but we are seeing some small glimpses of hope.

I am profoundly sad that the vaccinations are rolling out so much slower than we were promised (in both countries). My mom's health has taken a very grave turn over the past week, and I am slowly having to come to terms with the reality that, barring a miracle, I will most likely not get a chance to see her before she passes away. I cannot even describe what that feeling is like. I would gladly trade my Florida vacations for the next 10 years if I could just be with her right now. The current travel restrictions imposed by both countries combined with our responsibilities here in the US (and a unique set of family circumstances back home) mean those restrictions essentially make it impossible for us to travel. The effects of Covid cut much deeper than just the obvious. I've heard the argument far too many times over the past few months that a person's mental health is less important than the risk of catching Covid, but let me tell you, this is a special kind of hell that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I pray for all of us right now. Stay safe, @damo.

I'm very sorry about your mom. I don't know if it would help or is an option in your situation, but did you check into requesting a limited release from mandatory quarantine for compassionate reasons? You can request one to care for or be with a loved one in their final moments.
 
I’m very very sorry to hear about your mother Gina . And I can only imagine how much this must hurt.

Thanks, my friend. I know your family understands the pain of being separated. I hope you guys are hanging in okay through all of this as well, being separated from your sister and her new little one. Sucks all around, doesn't it?
 
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Thanks, my friend. I know your family understands the pain of being separated. I hope you guys are hanging in okay through off this as well, being separated from your sister and her new little one. Sucks all around, doesn't it?
You can say that again.
We have so much to be grateful for but it’s one foot in front of the other some days.
 
I'm very sorry about your mom. I don't know if it would help or is an option in your situation, but did you check into requesting a limited release from mandatory quarantine for compassionate reasons? You can request one to care for or be with a loved one in their final moments.

Yes, I actually spoke with our former MP's office late last week to get some details on how to apply. My mom has an appointment in Kingston tomorrow, which will likely provide more answers on the specifics of her condition (her local hospital has not been able to conclusively find out why her health is declining so rapidly). We will be able to request the medical documentation we would require once we have the results of those tests. Of course, the mandatory quarantine that has been implemented for when we come home also makes things a bit more problematic as well. And just to make matters worse, we may not be able to travel anyway due to the status of our green card applications (we were unable to cross the border when our visa applications were pending.......we expect some clarification from my husband's company's legal team this week). All in all, it's a dog's breakfast. And I'm feeling incredibly hopeless.
 
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Gina: think we talked years ago on the Boards about being from the same area. As well as contacting the MP's office, have you also contacted your former MPP's office? While some issues fall within federal jurisdiction, your former Ontario MPP may be able to offer some help and networking as well esp since a serious health issue with your Mom. Wishing you and your Mother the very best. Terrible times for many.
 
Gina: think we talked years ago on the Boards about being from the same area. As well as contacting the MP's office, have you also contacted your former MPP's office? While some issues fall within federal jurisdiction, your former Ontario MPP may be able to offer some help and networking as well esp since a serious health issue with your Mom. Wishing you and your Mother the very best. Terrible times for many.

Thank you for the good wishes, they are VERY much appreciated. I haven't yet contacted our MPP's office, but the MP's rep actually recommended the same...because if something happens before the Ontario lockdown is over, our son will need permission to break the provincial quarantine in order to see his grandmother AND us (assuming we can get the okay from the attorneys to cross).

I feel like I'm constantly on the brink of a migraine these days.
 
Yes, I actually spoke with our former MP's office late last week to get some details on how to apply. My mom has an appointment in Kingston tomorrow, which will likely provide more answers on the specifics of her condition (her local hospital has not been able to conclusively find out why her health is declining so rapidly). We will be able to request the medical documentation we would require once we have the results of those tests. Of course, the mandatory quarantine that has been implemented for when we come home also makes things a bit more problematic as well. And just to make matters worse, we may not be able to travel anyway due to the status of our green card applications (we were unable to cross the border when our visa applications were pending.......we expect some clarification from my husband's company's legal team this week). All in all, it's a dog's breakfast. And I'm feeling incredibly hopeless.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's declining health. I hope that your and your family can get some sort of arrangement made so that you can break the quarantine order. IMO in this case, there should not be a quarantine order in this case. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Edited to add

I thought that Toronto had the fast track travel quarantine program like Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) would you not be able to do that since you are a canadian citizen? Because that would cut down on the amount of time needed to quarantine. a negative test from the airport testing ( with being in quarantine until the test result) then daily checking in, and another retest on day 6 or 7. Would you not be able to do that?
 
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Yes, I actually spoke with our former MP's office late last week to get some details on how to apply. My mom has an appointment in Kingston tomorrow, which will likely provide more answers on the specifics of her condition (her local hospital has not been able to conclusively find out why her health is declining so rapidly). We will be able to request the medical documentation we would require once we have the results of those tests. Of course, the mandatory quarantine that has been implemented for when we come home also makes things a bit more problematic as well. And just to make matters worse, we may not be able to travel anyway due to the status of our green card applications (we were unable to cross the border when our visa applications were pending.......we expect some clarification from my husband's company's legal team this week). All in all, it's a dog's breakfast. And I'm feeling incredibly hopeless.
We are in uncharted territory at the moment with an uncertain answer to what’s in store. Keep up the faith Gina.
 
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's declining health. I hope that your and your family can get some sort of arrangement made so that you can break the quarantine order. IMO in this case, there should not be a quarantine order in this case. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Edited to add

I thought that Toronto had the fast track travel quarantine program like Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) would you not be able to do that since you are a canadian citizen? Because that would cut down on the amount of time needed to quarantine. a negative test from the airport testing ( with being in quarantine until the test result) then daily checking in, and another retest on day 6 or 7. Would you not be able to do that?
My sister used that in October but I believe the pilot ended right after she left to go home .
 
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's declining health. I hope that your and your family can get some sort of arrangement made so that you can break the quarantine order. IMO in this case, there should not be a quarantine order in this case. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Edited to add

I thought that Toronto had the fast track travel quarantine program like Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) would you not be able to do that since you are a canadian citizen? Because that would cut down on the amount of time needed to quarantine. a negative test from the airport testing ( with being in quarantine until the test result) then daily checking in, and another retest on day 6 or 7. Would you not be able to do that?
Unfortunately, we never had a pilot program here in Toronto that allowed for a shorter quarantine period when incorporating testing. Air Canada did a large-scale voluntary arrival study that involved testing on arrival and a few times again within two weeks, but the results did not affect the mandated quarantine time.
 
On the news this morning I think 11 flights landing at YVR (Vancouver) had Covid on them. Some domestic, some international flights. How does this happen? Aren’t the new rules in affect now, that you have to get tested 72 hrs prior to flight?
 
On the news this morning I think 11 flights landing at YVR (Vancouver) had Covid on them. Some domestic, some international flights. How does this happen? Aren’t the new rules in affect now, that you have to get tested 72 hrs prior to flight?
The whole testing before a flight is pointless in my opinion. If you get tested 3 days before, then you can still be exposed within that 72hr timeline. Also, you may have been exposed a few days before testing and was tested during the incubation period when the virus wouldn't show...
 
I don't disagree that it's a problem. But putting people out of business and out of jobs is a problem too. Especially in the numbers that are occurring. Its possible to be concerned about more than one thing at a time. I can think that hospitals being overwhelmed is a problem AND think that the huge number of people who are losing their jobs or their entire livelihoods is a problem and that doesn't make me a bad person. In fact, its perfectly normal for me to be scared that we might lose our home due to this and if I wasn't worried about that or what that would mean for my kids, there would be something wrong with me.

Yes, it is. But it's less of a problem than people dying quite honestly. Most people are concerned about both issues, but one by necessity takes priority over the other.
 
On the news this morning - Emergencies Act may be invoked. It's behind a paywall, but the key points are, if invoked:

- probable mandatory 2 weeks quarantine in hotel at your expense
- complete ban on international travel (incoming and outgoing)

https://tj.news/story/101469075
 
On the news this morning I think 11 flights landing at YVR (Vancouver) had Covid on them. Some domestic, some international flights. How does this happen? Aren’t the new rules in affect now, that you have to get tested 72 hrs prior to flight?

It happens easily.

72 hours ago, even though these people had been exposed to covid a few days before their test, there wasn't enough of it in their bodies to show up on a test.

The only thing the 72 hour test stops is people getting sick in the middle of a vacation and trying to hop on a plane to get home. If their symptoms show up AFTER their negative test, there is nothing stopping them from getting on the plane. This is where a rapid test is needed before getting on the plane.
 
On the news this morning I think 11 flights landing at YVR (Vancouver) had Covid on them. Some domestic, some international flights. How does this happen? Aren’t the new rules in affect now, that you have to get tested 72 hrs prior to flight?

I heard Ford make reference to the voluntary testing are Pearson has shown a positivity rate of 2.5%. Anyone who things travel isn’t contributing to this needs to get their head out of the sand.
 
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