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Transport Canada has announced it will ban all cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters until Feb 28, 2022.
The original ban on cruise ships was announced by the Canadian government in March of 2020.
The newly extended ban that will last at least another year bars all passenger vessels carrying over 100 people.
Today, the Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra announced the following measures:
- Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
- Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
- Cruise vessels carrying 100 or more people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
Alghabra added that the move will give health officials the ability to focus on what matters most including study of the new Covid-19 variants and the vaccine rollout in Canada.
“As Canadians continue to do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our government continues to work hard to ensure Canada's transportation system remains safe, Omar Alghabra said in a press release. “Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems.”
“This is the right and responsible thing to do” Alghabra concluded.
Canadian Government Re-issues Warning To Avoid All Cruising
The Canadian government continues to advise Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.
“Cruise passengers include travellers from around the world who may be arriving from areas with known or unknown spread of COVID-19. The virus can spread quickly on board cruises due to the close contact between passengers.”
The Ban Could Be Rescinded If Covid-19 Conditions Improve
The press release stated that the Canadian government will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes if necessary . Should the COVID-19 pandemic improve to allow for the resumption of cruising, the Minister of Transport could remove the ban.
In 2019, 140 cruise ships from more than 10 countries came ashore in Canada, and annually the industry brings at least two million travellers into the country.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Elisabeth
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
Exactly! I also still travel... in my own beautiful country :-). Most americans I've met abroad were only interested in collecting stamps in their passport to show how many countries in the world they've visited. Getting to know the locals and the culture doesn't seem to be important. When I travel abroad I'm staying in one country for at least two months. If less, then for me it's not 'travel', then it's just a (short) 'holiday trip'.
Jessica
Friday 5th of February 2021
Or maybe it is just no more travel for people who are constantly negative. Free your mind for true Liberty!! And by the way, there are many of us still out here traveling...perhaps slower than before to appreciate the culture and beauty and avoid complications of moving around quickly by we are continuing to live and experience and appreciate.
Liberty
Thursday 4th of February 2021
It will get banned past 2022 too, mark my words...this is the new normal. No more travel for the plebs.