Canadian Airlines Call For Ease of Travel Restrictions

Two major airlines in Canada, WestJet and Air Canada, seem to be calling for the easing of travel restrictions in the country.

They have recently decreased their flight schedule and cancelled flights along with that demand to see some change for the industry on this front.

With low demand for flights and remaining travel restrictions it means that things are not yet back to where they used to be for the travel industry.

It isn’t just airlines that are waiting to see changes either, many other businesses linked with the tourism industry will also benefit from a reversal on restrictions which might quickly result in seeing more business coming through.

It seems a growing number of regions are already looking to do away with those passports and pandemic-related restrictions but there is no word yet on when Canada might federally look to ease the changes.

The Toronto Pearson Airport has also joined the call for changes on those current travel restrictions some, surrounding PCR testing for example.

It’s reported that there have been many flight cancellations for Canadian airlines because of the mandatory testing for travel.

In calling for an easing of those restrictions it has been suggested that perhaps the billions spent on testing travelers would be better spent elsewhere, such as on vaccine distribution and the healthcare industry.

Advertisements

Suspending flights over low demand in Canada

Due to that low demand for travel right now there are some flights that have been cancelled, like those heading to sunny destinations. And they are expected to be suspending until at least April of this year.

Antigua, Samaná, Curaçao, Aruba, Exuma, Grenada, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Havana, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

These are a few of the destinations that are expected to be affected by those cancelling of flights from Canadian airlines.

Last year we saw that Air Canada had witnessed increased bookings as travel restrictions eased. They are still struggling and waiting to see those restrictions eased this year, so that they can be able to get back to normal for tourism.

They have been adjusting their schedule and trying to respond to the restrictions and changing environment and since the pandemic this industry has been one of the hardest hit overall. Some Canadian airlines are still working to advocate for the easing of those restrictions and more of a return to normal.

Air Canada alone had cut hundreds of jobs and overall the Canadian airline and tourism industry has lost billions. The impact of the pandemic has been catastrophic on the tourism and airline industry.

Both Alberta and Saskatchewan have announced the end of their vaccination program coming this year, but there is no word yet on when federal rules will move in the same direction for travel and other activities.

Canadian Women’s Foundation #SignalForHelp Goes Viral

A teenager from NC has been rescued after successfully using a TikTok hand gesture to signal to others that she was in trouble.

The hand gesture, known as the TikTok distress signal, went viral previously on TikTok and was originally developed in Canada by the Canada Womne’s Foundation to address violence at home during the pandemic.

The distress signal from TikTok that the teen used is a way for others to signal that they need help without having to say anything. By using a simple hand gesture that displays an open palm with the thumb tucked in, and then you close your fingers over the thumb trapping it in, this signals that you are in need of help.

Advertisements

TikTok Distress Signal Helps Save NC Teen

The teen in NC allegedly flashed the TikTok distress signal more than once on the road and finally someone was able to recognize it and get her the help that she needed. Now one man has been arrested who is accused of holding her hostage.

Canadian Women’s Foundation #SignalForHelp

Isolation during the pandemic meant that some saw an increase in domestic violence at home and the Canadian Women’s Foundation came up with a simple but effective solution to help. That solution is the hand signal going viral on TikTok and now other platforms, that is used to signal for help without using any words.

News about that distress signal has gone viral now after the story broke of how one teen in the US was able to use it to get help.

Reports of domestic violence increased during the pandemic with the Canada’s Assaulted Women’s Helpline receiving tens of thousands of calls within just a few months in 2020.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation details on their site more about The Violence At Home Signal For Help, which is a one handed sign to be used to signal in a safe way that someone is in need of help.

The distress signal or ‘Signal For Help’ as it has also been referred to, is a tool from the Canadian Women’s Foundation that is meant to help victims by providing them with a way to signal for help in a discreet manner.

Over 4,000 BC Health Workers Placed on Unpaid Leave After Missing Vaccine Deadline

Around the province of BC there are many unvaccinated health workers who have been placed on unpaid leave now for missing the deadline of the vaccination mandate. It is estimated that some 4,000 unvaccinated healthcare workers in the province missed the deadline for the mandatory vaccination.

The mandate for getting the vaccination related to those who work in health settings, including volunteers and students, physicians, residents, contractors, and other health professionals. Not only that but it also impacted those working from home or community settings too.

There are 2,000 more health workers who have been vaccinated but with only one dose. Health authorities will now need to take steps to try and address this problem, for a health care system that is already struggling with inefficiencies around the province and country.

The system cannot afford to lose those thousands of workers and it is a solemn day according to the health minister, to face this reality of so many health workers in BC remaining unvaccinated knowing that this could be a consequence that they face.

While many in the community celebrate the departure of those workers, accusing them of being ‘against science’ or not wanting to get over this pandemic, others have tried to remind us that throughout the pandemic these individuals risked their lives and were regarded as heroes; they risked their livelihoods and careers over making this choice for themselves.

Advertisements

More Pressure on the Health Care System

If those thousands of health workers are lost then this is going to create a huge need in the health care system overall, it will place even more pressure on that system and on hospitals around the province. Those who did not get the first dose by the deadline cannot work because of the mandate.

Thousands of health care workers will be placed on unpaid leave because they had refused to get vaccinated. For hospitals and other care centers that are already struggling with staffing issues and service demands, this is only going to worsen those problems for communities around the province.

For those individuals who lost their jobs this week there has been a lot of anger and frustration, and now there are more problems for the province to deal with as they are forced to navigate the loss of those who hadn’t yet been vaccinated, and who as a result were placed on unpaid leave.

After the announcement of those vaccination mandates we have seen various protests take place around the province and those protests have included patients, health care workers, and others.

The province was already short on health care workers and for those who remain the pressure is going to increase because of the void that has been left by those who recently were placed on unpaid leave. If there isn’t something done to address the pressures that remain then we could lose more health care workers in the future as a result. That exodus of workers didn’t come as a total surprise though, it was suggested that there might be as much as 10 per cent or more who might not meet the vaccination mandate in the province to continue working.

For this overworked industry though things are going to get a lot harder now that thousands of more workers will be leaving health centers and hospitals around the province. How much more can BC health workers and its system take? Prior to this dismissal of thousands of workers there had already been service-related staffing issues and it could mean that more similar problems are to come because of it.

COVID-19 Prompts Cancellation of Summerset Festival 2021

The Summerset Music and Festival 2021 has had to be cancelled this year because of the pandemic. This means that the Summerset Festival 2021 that had been planned in Fort Langley and Penticton is not going to be going on as planned any longer.

Advertisements

There are increasing case numbers throughout the Okanagan and this was allegedly part of the reason why they had to cancel the event. For now both the Summerset Music & Arts Festival for Langley and Penticton is cancelled and these events are going to be postponed.

Summerset Festival Postponed until 2022

Those who had tickets to the events are going to receive a refund according to info posted on their website about the cancellation and we will have to wait until next year for the event to come back.

In the meantime there will be some live music to catch in Fort Langley, the Summerset Nights, from Aug 27 to 29th and will feature music, food, drinks, and an all around good time.

Live Music Concerts in Fort Langley

The Summerset Music & Arts Festival was one of the biggest music festivals that had been planned for this summer to take place in Penticton and Fort Langley, but despite BC moving forward with a reopening plan things might be going in the other direction now. Aside from this music event there are others which have been planned around the Lower Mainland as well, that includes some free events to find with live music too.

There is also the Summerset Nights which is going on from Aug 27 to the 29th in Langley and this is another chance to catch some live music and have a good time with food like fried chicken sandwiches, tacos, and good drinks. You can find tickets here to the Summerset music event in Fort Langley.

COVID-19 Outbreak in Okanagan Means Masks Coming Back

Due to a recent outbreak in COVID-19 cases in the Central Okanagan BC health officials have recently declared that the mask mandate is coming back for indoor public spaces.

To try and increase vaccination rates in the province officials are also kicking off different COVID campaigns like mobile clinics to try and make it easier for people to get vaccinated.

Advertisements

As for the current cases in the province it is reported that the majority of them are from unvaccinated individuals, less than 5 per cent are coming from those who have been vaccinated according to CTV news.

Right now the province of British Columbia has one of the highest vaccine rates in the world, at around 80 per cent of those who are eligible who have been vaccinated. They are looking to try and get to those last few who remain who haven’t been vaccinated yet, by educating and giving more convenience for vaccination services etc.

Moving Forward With the BC 2021 reopening

BC is well underway with the 2021 reopening and this means that we are slowly easing those COVID-19 related restrictions around social gatherings, as well as on different businesses like casinos and movie theaters.

We can also expect the border restrictions to start easing soon for vaccinated travelers, cruise ships to come back, and a slow progression toward more of those restrictions being eased.

Many are wondering when travel might resume as normal again, not just for those who are partially or fully vaccinated. How far away are we from normal travel? Will we ever see normal travel again? For now things still look quite different. Though we might have seen some restrictions be eased, like mask mandates and other rules, they could just as easily come back as we have seen in other areas that are now facing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Just recently, Canadian authorities had been reportedly separating travelers at the airport arrival terminals based on their vaccination status but that approach seemed to be quickly terminated just as fast as it was announced. The approach is also reportedly being considered in other areas around Canada.

Canada Border Reopening For Non-essential Travel

Now that we are close to getting travel restrictions loosened at the border though, there is another issue that might stand in the way of that reopening and that is the recent announcement that the Union representing Canadian border authorities have voted to strike.

It isn’t clear how this is going to impact their plans for that Canada – US border reopening this year or what delays it might fuel etc. Not only might it cause some potential slowdown of that border reopening transition for some travelers but it could cause some supply chain disruptions as well.

Already, there are hundreds of fires burning around British Columbia that have played some role in impacting the supply chain this year.

If the Canadian supply chain is further impacted then Canadians could start to see that trickle down and show up on their shelves, on the prices of goods that they are buying.

Advertisements

Right now there are many people on either side of the border who are patiently waiting for it to reopen again and as far as when that might fully reopen to unvaccinated travelers, with no restrictions, for non-essential travel, that isn’t made clear yet. Neither is how much of an impact this recent vote might have on that US – Canada border reopening this year as they had recently planned to ease some of those travel restrictions.

Not only has that mask mandate come back to the Okanagan region but they are also asking all unvaccinated travelers to avoid the area as well.

Delta Variant Cases Fuel Concern For Another Lockdown

Millions of people might not be concerned with the Delta variant but that does not mean that it isn’t a growing problem now in certain areas around the world.

With the recent stock market dive that has been linked to fears of a rise in Delta variant cases, there are growing concerns that many have about how bad things might get over the Delta variant.

According to one recent poll it seems that about half of Americans aren’t that worried about the issue of the Delta variant While others are wondering about the concerns over risks that might come with it.

Moderna has previously stated that their vaccine is effective against the Delta variant because some might be wondering now about delta variant vaccine resistance. Millions of people around Canada, the United States, and other areas have been vaccinated, as more questions will come about over delta variant vaccine resistance as those delta variant cases rise.

The AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine have also been shown by one study to likely be effective against the Delta variant.

Advertisements

Delta variant Canada

The Delta variant in Canada is already a concern and Canadian officials have recently reminded the public that we are still not over the pandemic yet. As those delta variant cases increase in certain regions more are wondering about delta variant vaccine resistance and this has prompted officials to urge the public to seek out trustworthy sources about the vaccinations and risks etc.

After months of decline now that Delta variant cases are rising again but some communities are still highly resistant to vaccines. In Canada the vaccination rate has been growing steadily and that means that now we see more than 50% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

In the U.S. more than 50% have received at least one dose, which fuels some of those concerns about delta variant vaccine resistance if those Delta variant cases are rising in Canada and elsewhere.

Advertisements

Resuming Covid-19 Restrictions Over Rising Cases

With the Delta variant cases increasing this means we might see a reverse of the reopening plans, as some jurisdictions have already tackled with. Masks might come back, or businesses might close if Delta variant cases and overall demand gets out of control for health services.

The Delta variant is now making up at least one-third of B.C. cases according but not everyone says it is time to worry.

The Delta variant is impacting different regions around North America and with those rising cases in the U.S. now some such as the U.S. surgeon general are more concerned with the potential problem, along with other health experts and government officials.

Growing Delta Variant in Canada

Experts have already indicated that soon we might see the Delta variant cases become the majority in Canada, with the Delta variant moving to take position as the dominant strain of infections.

Health officials are still urging those who are unvaccinated to get vaccinated when possible to try and help prevent a fourth wave or another severe lockdown from coming about if things take a turn. Millions of Canadians around the country have already been fully vaccinated.

While a variety of places might be reopening there is still concern with many for the Delta variant cases and especially what that might mean for the economy too if those fears grow.

New Risk Assessment Tool Coming For Canadians Who Have Been Fully Vaccinated

Over 30 million doses have been given out overall in Canada so far and that means that roughly 20% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Health workers have been giving out thousands of more vaccinations each day and recently drop-in clinics have popped up in B.C. and around Canada. Those pop up vaccination clinics are making it easier for people to get vaccinated too.

Soon, a risk assessment tool is expected for fully vaccinated people that will help them to be able to safely figure out what they might be able to do.

B.C. is on its own reopening plan and other provinces have also announced their own 2021 reopening plans for easing restrictions. What are things going to look like for those who are fully vaccinated now? That is what some want to know.

That risk assessment tool for fully vaccinated Canadians is expected to be a guide that will help Canadians to make an informed decision about what they can safely do. When they might be able to take off their masks or how to engage in social distancing and so on.

There is some confusion still as to how Canadians might start interacting with one another again normally as restrictions are eased. How is that social engagement going to go down the road in 2021? And this app is looking to help Canadians navigate that question.

Further communications are expected to be coming in the following weeks and months ahead on how those restrictions will be eased and what Canadians should do to get back to normal.

Canadian Risk Assessment Tool

The tool that is allegedly coming soon is reportedly likely going to offer a list of questions related to vaccination status of the individual, as well as questions about those you might be gathering with etc. It might consider local infection rates, what setting you plan to be in etc, and ultimately will help to give data that can enable individuals to make a more informed decision on what to do.

Things have started to ease on a variety of businesses and social activities within the province of B.C. and the reopening plan is underway with a lot more expected to open up over the summer.

Around B.C. right now the situation is still looking good as vaccination rates continue to climb daily. If things stay this way, cases stay down, then the next phase might similarly get the go-ahead like the others have too.

There is already talk about the border reopening in some sense this summer and that day might be coming soon as pressure continues to build for a border reopening, a move that some say is long overdue. Some have even taken out ad space to call out the U.S. and Canadian governments over their inaction to already move things along as far as reopening the border.

In recent weeks officials have indicated that those changes for the border reopening for recreational international travel are soon expected to be coming and presently being worked on.

The Canadian prime minister has recently indicated that the border reopening is a move which is likely to take place gradually and over the span of several weeks, just like we have seen with the pandemic reopening plans as well.

A New Reopening Plan Expected to Be Announced This Week

A new B.C. reopening plan is expected to be announced this week. The government is reportedly going to be releasing new details on their plan that many are anticipating after recently travel restrictions went into place for B.C. up until the May long weekend.

It is expected that soon these pandemic restrictions will be eased and once again we will be able to meet for indoor gatherings, outdoor gatherings in larger groups, and indoor dining, and more. The details are expected to be announced tomorrow sometime around 1 p.m.

Vaccination rates have quickly been growing in B.C. and around the country. Optimism is growing quickly for a better summer and a new normal coming soon. Still, there are real concerns about a potential 4th wave that might change things.

For businesses around B.C. many are still struggling to make it through up until now. There are some who might not be able to take much more before they will be closed for good.

There are more than 2 million in B.C. who have received at least 1 dose so far and there is hope that B.C. might pass 80% vaccination rate for the adult population by June.

Photo by Julia Kuzenkov on Pexels.com

Cases continue to drop and if that remains unchanged then we can expect those restrictions to slowly be eased and we can get back to that new normal they’ve been saying is coming for months now.

Some restaurants are already getting ready for the changes, despite no clear map that has been set yet for that path back to normal.

Travel restrictions so far in B.C. have meant that a number of tickets have been given out to those traveling outside of their permitted zones. Those in B.C. are still encouraged to social distance and avoid non-essential travel outside of those travel zones.

Restaurants around the province have been closed for weeks now and they are struggling greatly, despite the makeshift patios that they have been able to set up to help a little bit.

Those restaurants that are still open cannot make it for much longer without that indoor dining. Once it comes back and those restrictions are lifted we can expect that businesses will see a lot of summer traffic around the province. Many are ready to get out and to enjoy their summer this year and to make the most of it, whatever that might look like.

No Changes Yet to Travel Restrictions in B.C.

The travel restrictions that were recently imposed in B.C. are not going to be changed just yet. The province just recorded 1,360 new cases over the weekend and they don’t want to open things up too soon if that means seeing a jump again in COVID numbers.

Officials are operating on the safe side and unfortunately for those who are eager for a reopening that might mean waiting a few more weeks before things can return to normal in the province.

Some changes surrounding those travel restrictions and other COVID restrictions however might be updated later this week, if things continue to go well.

A New Normal in B.C. By Summer?

Over the weekend recently police in B.C. had stopped over 2,000 vehicles at various COVID-19 checkpoints around the province, looking to enforce those COVID-19 restrictions and travel and make sure that people were only traveling for essential purposes.

During the first weekend of those restrictions it was reported that they had seen no tickets issued and officials seemed encouraged that overall people were getting the message to stay close to home.

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

There are already signs set up around the province that are alerting travelers about the upcoming road checks and there are areas for safe U-turn routes if people aren’t traveling for essential purposes and need to turn around.

No one in the province is supposed to stumble upon those checkpoints by surprise.

The system has been designed so that travelers should be well aware of the upcoming roadblocks and what is happening. There are signs that are also placed on highways that allow people to turn around which gives them that extra opportunity before reaching the roadblock.

During the first weekend of those travel restrictions they saw no tickets given out and the number has certainly jumped since then. The weather is getting nicer and people want to get out with their friends and family and enjoy beaches, parks, and other areas around the province.

But officials are still urging people to stay distanced and sacrifice still with these restrictions until we can reopen once again.

Photo by Shoval Zonnis on Pexels.com

Planning a Vacation in 2021

Right now travel agencies are seeing a boom in business not just in Canada. Vaccination rates are climbing in the province and around the country and that means more are getting comfortable with going out.

Anticipation for that B.C. reopening is growing and that means people are thinking about and planning trips for the future.

News reports suggest that travel agencies in the region are already seeing the uptick in demand, ever since people started to get vaccinated. Many people have been eager to travel since the border has been closed for more than one year to non-essential travel now. They want to get around, move, get out of their home, and have something like a vacation to look forward to.

Once those restrictions are lifted we can anticipate that many will take advantage of that reopening and chance to get out again and make the most out of it. The travel industry is expected to come screaming back once people feel comfortable again traveling and making those vacation arrangements. Borders in a number of regions also need to reopen still for non-essential travel.

Tourism in Canada brought in more than $39 billion in 2019

Until those restrictions are lifted there are many businesses that are left suffering.

When tourism slows down around the world that brings economics to a halt with them, the tourism industry today is responsible for bringing billions to countries worldwide today.

Cafes, shops, car services, hotels, gift shops, bike rentals, nail shops, currency exchanges, there are many different businesses that suffer when those tourists don’t come in.

For now we can expect that these travel restrictions in B.C. are still going to be in place for a few days or weeks yet. But if cases continue to decline then we might see an easing of those COVID restrictions and get a better chance for a more normal summer this year.

Anti-Lockdown Protest Brings Out Hundreds to the Streets

Hundreds of people gathered this weekend in Victoria Park for an anti-lockdown protest that saw them march through the streets carrying signs and chanting. Ontario has suffered arguably more severe lockdown restrictions than in B.C. and there has been a variety of protests seen since last year because of the lockdown measures.

It was a diverse crowd that took to the streets, young and old pictured protesting the lockdown restrictions that are in place.

It is estimated that at least 500 people or more might have been in attendance. They marched through the downtown region over the weekend.

A variety of those protesters say that they are marching for freedom and for their rights not to be infringed, which they see being violated with the recurring lockdowns since the pandemic began.

The anti-lockdown protest in Ontario was in protest of the extended stay at home order that they have been facing in the province there.

B.C. has introduced its own measures for travel restrictions and other COVID-19 related restrictions to social activity, but we’ve arguably had a much better time than Ontario has had and other regions. Their lockdown has been more severe though they’ve faced an entirely different situation with the number of cases that they’ve seen. Their situation in Ontario though is unique and cannot be compared with B.C. too closely as far as how either one should handle it.

However, it is clear to see that people in Canada are growing tired of the lockdown restrictions and continued promise that better is yet to come. We’ve seen various demonstrations and protests unfold over the last year.

Since the pandemic began we have seen anti mask rallies, anti lockdown rallies, and anti vaccine protests across the country. A number of different businesses have also tried to defy public health orders and stay open when they were ordered to close as well.

Trust in Canadian leaders has been declining during the pandemic.

And while some polls show that many Canadians do support vaccines or might be in support of lockdown restrictions, there is also a noteworthy segment of the population that doesn’t.

There are millions of Canadians who are in support of those lockdown restrictions, curfews, and whatever measures officials might deem necessary in order to deal with the problem they say Canadians are faced with. As far as the various surveys have indicated, the support is more widespread across Canada it seems than the discontent with the rules and restrictions.

For now we are told in B.C. that if we sacrifice and keep up with those pandemic restrictions on travel and other activities that it will mean we might get a more normal summer. Vaccine campaigns have been ramping up around the province and the country and there are already millions in Canada who have received their first dose.