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While Canadian airlines were banned from flying to sunny destinations including Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, many other warm winter destinations were exempted from the ban. Canadian airlines will still be flying to sunny destinations including Florida, Hawaii and Arizona.
There is currently no flight ban on Canadian airlines to U.S. destinations.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau’s new travel restrictions went into effect today including a ban on Canadian airlines flying to most sunny destinations. In cooperation with the four major Canadian airlines that fly internationally, all flights to a number of winter getaways were suspended until at least May 1st.
None of the U.S. holiday destinations were included in that ban.
A new rule will also require Canadians returning by air to quarantine in a supervised hotel for up to 3 days while waiting for results of a PCR test. The cost of the quarantine could reach $2000.00 per person. No further details have been released on when the hotel quarantine will go into effect.
The hotel quarantine does not apply to those returning by land but a 14 day self quarantine period still applies.
Trudeau said Friday that in the coming weeks, Canada will begin requiring non-essential travelers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before being allowed to enter from the U.S. by land border crossing.
Non-essential traffic is banned in both directions at the U.S. and Canada land border but the rule does not apply to Canadian citizens returning home. As of now a major loophole remains that allows Canadians to fly out to any U.S. sunny destination and drive home across the border to avoid the hotel quarantine.
Canada is in talks with the United States to further restrict the land border crossings.
Canadian Airlines Can Still Fly To U.S. Holiday Destinations
There has been no ban on flights headed to sunny U.S. destinations including Hawaii, Florida and Arizona.
Last week, Joe Biden signed a new Presidential order that requires travelers to follow CDC recommended guidelines for self-quarantine. No further details have been given on a date when the quarantine may begin or if the quarantine is mandatory or if it will be enforced.
Canadians Are Still Able To Fly To All Sunny Destinations On U.S. Airlines
While the Trudeau government did ban Canadian airlines from flying south to tropical getaways, the new restriction does not stop U.S. airlines from operating in Canada and transporting Canadians down to sunny destinations.
A quick search on Google Flights shows dozens of options for Canadian travelers headed to holiday hotspots like Cancun on U.S. airlines such as United and American Airlines with a stopover.
Canadians Must Present Proof of A Negative Test When Flying To The U.S.
While Canadians are still free to travel to the U.S. for vacations, travelers will be required to present proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR or Antigen test no older than 72 hours before being allowed to board their flights.
Governments Look To Close Loopholes
While all the new restrictions may persuade many people to reconsider their travel plans, those that are set on traveling will continue to do so.
The U.S. and Canadian governments are facing uphill battles on enacting new measures without violating citizens constitutional rights.
The new measures in Canada are likely to keep most Canadians from traveling and help reduce the 2% of Covid-19 cases that have come from international travel.
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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
Bob
Tuesday 2nd of February 2021
Funny how the government paid for all costs. Hotel meals etc to bring foreign workers into Canada last summer. Supposedly for the beleaguered wine and fruit industry.. Etc. Yet now returning Canadians citizens, many with legitimate reasons for being out of the country at this time will pay their own bills to be incarcerated. In a hotel of the governments choice, for 2 pct of the Canadian COVID Cases. Where are the other 98% coming from??? Please explain Justin!
Natalie
Monday 1st of February 2021
Isn't confinement of your own innocent citizens already violating constitutional rights? And the locked up person is expected to pay for it.
Christian
Monday 1st of February 2021
If Trudeau was Trump, he would be called a bigot for canceling flights to Mexico and not to the US.