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With the holidays just around the corner, a desire among Canadians to return to travel, both domestically and internationally, is stronger than ever. Whether it’s the idea of a break from the every-day somewhere hot and sunny or the thought of friends and family long since separated, gathering for a holiday celebration, many people are planning to take a trip in the coming months and into 2022.
Changes To Travel Restrictions In Canada
As of November 8th, 2021, the US land borders were officially open again for leisure travel – something that many Canadians had taken for granted before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. As vaccination rates continued to climb and infection rates continued to stabilize, Canadians felt more ready than ever to pamper themselves with a vacation or plan that long awaited reunion with friends and family and all of that became more of a reality when government restrictions eased on what borders would be open and what protocols would be in place for travellers.
Amid new concerns over the most recent variant identified, fewer Canadians may be making those plans than expected just a few short weeks ago. Tripcentral.ca President and Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) member, Richard Vanderlubbe, has said that while not all travellers are rushing to cancel their plans, the number of new inquiries and bookings has slowed down. In a CTVNews.ca phone interview, Vanderlubbe was quoted as saying “We were at about 40% of the 2019 level just prior to that [change], and it was rising. So, I think people are pausing and trying to figure out what this means.”
Most Recent Travel Rules Updated
For many, plans that have been made recently are once again clouded by uncertainty. It is believed that a lot of the those who have made plans to travel over Christmas will keep their plans. It becomes an issue now of being prepared to face any new requirements when crossing the border. For many, the question becomes just how important it is to take the trip and where their travel destination is.
As of the first week of December, the Canadian government announced new travel bans for 10 different countries. In addition to that, travellers arriving in Canada by air, from a destination other than the United States, will be required to take a PCR test upon arrival and those same travellers face quarantine until negative results have been received. Canadians planning air travel to the United States will now require a viral test one day prior to travel and must prove a negative test result in order to board flights.
Understanding Travel Coverage
Canadians lucky enough to be covered under a health and dental benefit plan may also have travel insurance included in their coverage. Many, although not all, insurance carriers are now, or will be soon, covering travel claims related to the Covid-19 out-of-country emergencies.
Many travel insurance policies do not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions but some do. Canadians planning to travel for Christmas, or into the New Year, can learn more about their policies and the conditions or limitations within by contacting the carrier directly or speaking with their broker to lean more.
There is more to pre-trip planning than shopping for new clothes or booking activities in your destination. Ensuring travel coverage is up to date and knowing who to call and when, in the event of a medical emergency while out of country, is important too. Health Care Providers Group Insurance Plan offers outstanding packages, including deluxe travel insurance, designed specifically for hospital employees across Canada who do not receive benefits as part of their compensation. Visit their website to learn more about who they are and what they offer. .