If you’ve been following this space for a while, then you know I married a Canadian in 2012 (here are our wedding photos). Prior to the pandemic, we traveled to Toronto at least four times a year to see family and friends. The border has now been closed for 18 months and we kept thinking we would go the day they finally opened it up to Americans, without requiring quarantine.
That day is coming in just over a week, on August 9 (here’s what you need to know), but sadly we’re not going. Here’s why:
1. The Delta variant
Without a doubt, the Delta variant has put a kibosh on our summer plans. Once the pandemic started, we waited over a year to travel as a family by air and our first flight (LAX-JFK) was in early June to see family in Connecticut. Here’s my trip report. We had a fantastic trip and we were so relieved that our daughter did so well on her first ever plane ride that we started booking more flights. But unfortunately, the Delta variant started spreading like wildfire so we canceled our plans. One of our many trips was supposed to be to Toronto but it’s not going to happen since we have two little unvaccinated kids.
2. Canadian airports will be a zoo
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and other major Canadian airports are going to be packed on August 9 and for the first couple weeks afterwards, with family, friends and colleagues ready to reconnect after so many months apart. I recently wrote that if you thought the LHR airport arrivals scene in the hit movie Love Actually was emotional, wait until the day the US/Canadian border opens. However, YYZ and others are going to be a zoo. There are already reports saying that passengers complain of overcrowding and utter chaos at Toronto’s Pearson airport. YYZ is getting progressively busier, much to the dismay of those eager to get away from Toronto for the first time in many months.
3. Canadian Customs and Border Services set to strike
If YYZ wasn’t bad enough on a normal day, it could be much worse, starting on August 6. That’s because, according to Travel Industry Today, “more than 8,500 unionized staff with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have given their union an overwhelming strike mandate, throwing into question the federal government’s plans for a smooth reopening of the Canada-US border this summer as a federal election looms. CBSA employees could potentially begin strike action.” If this strike happens, watch out and it’s all Canadian airports not just YYZ.
4. Toronto Pearson Airport scraps decision to separate arrivals by vaccination status
No one wants to be jam-packed in slow immigration lines at any time but especially not during a pandemic. Toronto Pearson announced last week that they had started to separate vaccinated and partially/non vaccinated travelers in customs lines, which was a great idea. But unfortunately, they scrapped the idea and a statement from the airport read: “As such, the practice will be ceased as of July 26, 2021, with entry requirements based on vaccination status being enforced once a passenger reaches CSBA.” (via CTV News)
5. It’s going to be expensive
Just like the USA, Canada is requiring all travelers entering Canada to produce a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. It’s similar to the United States’ plan, except Canada’s requires a PCR test, which costs a lot more than an antigen test. It could cost well over $100 per person to get tested and then you have to worry about the test coming back positive. You can’t leave right away so you will need to let the virus run its course while in a foreign country. Not fun.
Listen, no one wants to go to Canada more than my wife but she says she’s not putting our kids at risk. I want to go too, and especially after watching some clips from last night’s Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals game. The game made me want to go even more. It was the first game they’d played in Toronto in 670 days!
How about you? Are you going to Canada soon?
The trains go west from Jasper AB or Baniff AB, or go east from Vancouver to one of those two AB towns.
There are different routes available.
It’s all here…
https://www.rockymountaineer.com/routes_destinations
Let’s not kid ourselves. Covid-19 virus is here to stay. The only way we can protect the unvaccinated individuals from virus….tell them; please go get vacinated as quickly as possible. Virus will still spread by anyone regardless your are vacinated or not. The survival chances for vacinated are much better than unvaccinated.
Jim you’re delusional and you should stop watching breakfast television. Well over 100,000 (and counting) FULLY VACCINATED people have already died and most new outbreaks are individuals who are vaccinated. Get your head out of the sand. Where do you think the variants (mutations) are coming from??? Please tell me. Think logically…
This article comes from an American who’s country gathers more positive covid tests in a weekend then Canada has throughout the entire pandemic.
Yet we’re the problem…. Right…. Ask your geriatric president his thoughts on that if he’s still alive.
I totally agree with you. I am not even leaving my city (in Canada) until I feel safe to do so. Too bad there are people out there who don’t have common sense with regard to COVID19 and the Delta varient.
Comments not spot on but point taken. Works both ways. Both countries have people who can not (very few) and those who refuse mostly for political reasons. We are seeing them getting ill. From day 1 to now….the airports have been open for Americans, Canadians and more to come and go. They rather lie and fake documents versus staying home and protecting everyone. So this behavior will continue…we can’t stop that, we can’t stop living. I, like you are being cautious. We have a trip booked for next year to your country. Trust me, fully Vax and cautious, I will still wear masks in certain crowded areas even next year. Masks are to protect others from me, but I believe it protects me as well. So I am looking after everyone. We all need to take that attitude. Your concerns are valid but your commentary about being trapped in Canada and risking your family….it is the same on both sides. Everyone must do what they are comfortable with. There is no right or wrong answer…it is your comfort level. Can’t wait to see you back into our home country.
Because Toronto is all of Canada.
From a Toronto point of view.
It’s a crazy world. However I don’t think the Covid 19 vaccine is even relevant. This year’s flu is the Delta varient. Where’s the Delta variant vaccine? the covid-19 vaccine is old medicine. How much did the Canadian government spend on that?? Five years worth lol. As a Canadian I am not returning until Trudeau is gone his dictatorship has gone. Its gone on long enough. His mishandling of the pandemic, mishandling of vaccinated and unvaccinated people as people. Who can travel and cross the border should also be anyone who has antibodies from covid they’re just as protected as anybody with a vaccine. Anybody with a vaccine if anything, Your vaccine should only be a couple weeks old when leaving the country. If you want standards!! That is. Anything covid vaccine wise 3 months and older is worthless.
Get ready for your boosters!!! Btw they’re tested on 2000 in a country of 93million. (In common talk isn’t that all considered not countable?)(oh yeah only when the unvaccinated talk)The people only suffered with moderate adverse affects. Which of course no numbers given….
… Carry on go get that jab!!.
YESSSSSS Pamela you fucking ROCK!
Why you making it political. Trudeau is the prime minister and by the sound of it, I am thinking you forgot to vote, so if you want change then vote. You implied you left ??, so maybe you have found a country that you find more attractive to you and your beliefs.
However stating canada is ran under a dictatorship is showing a lack of knowledge about what a dictatorship is.
I may not like many of the comments on this article . I give you credit for using your name, but unfortunately I cannot agree. I am asking. Are you now living is the USA ?
This guy is retarded. If Covid existed then how come the cold and flu disappeared from the earth with no explanation? Without a plausible explanation, then you can only come to the conclusion that covid is the same cold and flu that has been going around since before recorded history and that the only thing new are the lies and propaganda. A variant of a virus that cannot possibly exist is why this moron is afraid to travel…
Come on Rod. We all know the flu is gone because people were wearing masks…
WINK, WINK
Ohhh my, just helpful hint. The flu and others disappeared die to the masks and people washing their hands properly. Is important to back up a theory or a belief with fact not false informatiin
Alberta WILL soon be treating Covid the same as the flu. Exactly like it should have been treated from DAY 1. No one needed to die except unfortunately those elderly individuals who already had terminal illness. Sad it got into the LTC centres so EASILY considering health care “professionals” should be washing their hands and wearing a mask as you’ve suggested. Your an idiot Pamela don’t quit your day job!
America land of the free, home of the brave and still the most free nation on earth thank God.
Hi! I live in Atlantic Canada. I have two ideas for you.
1. Why not travel by car. Avoid the airports all together.
2. Have your Canadian family meet you in Atlantic Canada for a vacation. Our numbers are extremely low. Here in New Brunswick, I think we are at 12 active cases for our whole province. and 2/3 of our population is double shot vacinationed.
3. In Prince Edward Island I don’t believe they ever had one covid related death during the entire pandemic.
Please don’t paint the whole country of Canada with the same brush. We worked very hard to keep everyone safe. Alot of our economy relays on Tourists. Don’t be scared away.
Yes I agree I returned to my hometown I am so happy to leave Onterriblle . No one needs to wear masks anywhere here now except hospitals or nursing homes. Music concerts and festivals started today New Brunswick Day! We would like to invite all Canadians who are vaccinated for a summer or fall getaway we desperately need the financial boost. NB govt will give you 20 percent off your hotel stay, flights and all meals. We have many beaches, the ocean, fresh seafood, hikes, camping, and perfect weather with a nice sea breeze. You can also drive, as the Quebec border with NB is opened!
What about all the Indians fllying into Canada weekly spreading covid when 2 milluon Canadians lost theirs jobs since covid hit.
Boo stay in America where all the rules are already let loose and the 4th wave has started. Keep the virus in your country. How about you go to Florida lol 21,000 cases a day lol.