Canada’s case of interest, country closed to travelers

Tourism is starting to re-emerge around the world. Although various countries around the world are beginning to welcome tourists with open arms, A country keeps its door firmly closed: Canada.

Since March 2020, Canada, this These days go by one Historic heat wave Since the temperature is above 49 degrees, it keeps its boundary tight.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, both the leaders of this country and the United States have been extending the ban on essential travel for almost a month. And though Some thought the two countries could ease the embargo this month They agreed to extend it again until at least July 21, 2021.

There are a number of reasons why Canada is tightening travel restrictions For that the country has not yet reopened tourist routes in the way it has dealt with the epidemic. Its policy during epidemics is to be wary even if other countries shout to reopen.

So even though many countries have relaxed travel restrictions in the first half of 2021, Canada has only toughened them up several times.

For example, All passengers aged 5 and over must have a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding any flight entering Canada from another country, A measure that came into effect in early January. Then, in February, the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The need for testing extended the land boundary arrival.

And Canada Extended its ban on cruise ships, banned ships carrying 100 or more passengers, effectively shutting down the industry in the country until 2022.

Travelers to Canada While waiting for the result of the detection test, you have to pay for the isolation in the hotel approved by the government.. If the test is negative, travelers can complete their mandatory 14-day home isolation, but those who test positive must be isolated at designated government facilities.

At this time, Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under Indian law in Canada, protected persons, selected foreigners traveling for essential reasons and immediate family members of Canadian citizens or residents may enter Canada. But if it does not fall into one of those categories, tourism is practically limitless.

Canada suffered for a moment from a very late vaccination program, and those delays seem to be improving, Only 27% of Canadians are fully vaccinated against the corona virus. According to Johns Hopkins University data The country recorded more than 1.42 million positive cases and more than 26,273 deaths.

But still With the vaccine acceleration in the country and the decline of positive events and many large countries open to tourism, some think it is time for Canada to relax its policy.. The reason? Despite various concerns such as delta, gamma, beta and alpha, different parts of the world are reopening to travelers.

Many countries close to the United States, geographically or diplomatically, have reopened just in time for summer travel boom in the Northern Hemisphere for tourists from around the world. But Canada is not one of those places.

The local travel department has called for travel brokers who they believe will help the sector recover from epidemic-related losses.. The European Union, for example, added the United States to its “whitelist” tour, which would allow vaccinated visitors to move freely between the 27 EU countries, excluding isolated requirements. However, this is not yet a real travel broker as the EU is still looking to the US to ease travel restrictions for visitors.

Countries that rely specifically on tourism, such as Mexico, which grossed $ 25 billion in tourism in 2019, have never closed their doors.

What are the consequences of this border shield? There were only 150,000 trips to Canada by non-Canadians in April, 6% less than in March. But even if the waves of people do not come to the North, Canadians go abroad, even if they have to isolate themselves when they return. Overseas travel by Canadian residents increased by almost 19% in April.

However, the travel ban has apparently affected Canada’s travel industry and put pressure on the governments of Canada and the United States. However, they are frustrated with what they see as a lack of progress.

Air Canada, Canada’s national airline, called for “clarity” last month and said the government should “act fast”. For its part, Perrin Beatty, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, told Bloomberg that he did not know what the government would do after the current travel ban expired. Business leaders are also calling for a reopening plan.

These are the strong words of some of Canada’s most powerful players. But judging by what Canadian leaders have publicly stated, there does not seem to be much urgency to lift the ban, at least not at this time.

“Many countries, such as Canada, continue to say that there is no time to travel now,” Prime Minister Trudeau said earlier this month. The president added that Canada would “work closely” with the United States but would be at the forefront of public security.

“Our number one priority is keeping Canadians safe when we fight COVID-19“Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparation Bill Blair said in a tweet in mid – June.

Not just Canada, then The U.S. Travel Association estimates that North America loses $ 1.5 billion every month as the border between the two countries is closed.. Tourism grossed $ 105 billion and supported one of 10 Canadian jobs, according to a report.

So, while the extension of the ban is not a total surprise, it is normal for travel providers on both sides of the border to want to get closer.

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