Here We Go Again: Dropping Travel Restrictions

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It’s now been well over a year since I first shared my 4 required steps before travelling again. As we’re learning to travel again while dropping travel restrictions, it’s time to do another checkin: where are we at in terms of travel? Are we good to go again, or are we still holding off a bit longer?

As a reminder – these are my 4 required steps before travelling internationally again:

1. Destination requirements dropped (depending on where you’re heading to: done)
2. Getting fully vaccinated (done – details here)
3. Departure border to re-open (depending on where you’re leaving from: done)
4. No more quarantine upon return (done)

As of this week there have been a number of positive developments for Canadian travellers across these four categories. Here’s the summary.

Dropping Travel Restrictions

While Canada has lifted its general negative travel advisory a few months ago, which made it easier to leave the country, returning to Canada was still tricky with the potential for random testing on arrival, and other restrictive measures in place. As of October 1, Canada is dropping the travel mask mandate and ending COVID-19 border and quarantine restrictions. This applies to anyone entering Canada. The dropped measures include:

• no more proof of COVID-19 vaccination required
• no more quarantine and isolation requirements on arrival
• no more pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 testing
• use of the ArriveCan application is now optional

This update marks a major milestone in Canada easing of travel restrictions. Even though these measures were always “temporary”, they’ve been in place for quite some time and I’m excited to start thinking about travelling again. This will be a much awaited step for travel to start returning to normal again.

Even though masks are no longer required on planes and trains, travellers are still “strongly recommended” to wear a mask and make “informed decisions” when travelling according to health officials.

The one possible caveat is that travellers who are sick upon arrival in Canada are still being asked to inform a staff member or border services officer on arrival. They “may then be referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment,” according to a government statement.

Ready To Board A Plane…?

It looks like with these changes all my 4 requirements to travel again are finally met. While I have been travelling locally, after my recent relocation further West I’m holding off on international travel until the new year for now. There’s enough to see and do in my immediate surroundings without the need to deal with the potential for airport delays.

Travel doesn’t mean you have to (always) go far. It’s about changing your environment for a while to inspire and re-energize yourself. When you live almost anywhere in Canada there’s so much to see in our own backyard, closer to home.

Even though I opted not to travel internationally even when restrictions relaxed, I never stopped applying my travel hacking principles. As a result, I have more miles and points saved up than I’m able to use right now. That’s not meant to impress you – but it’s meant to impress upon you that you can do the same, if you wish. So that whenever you’re ready to travel again, you’ll be ready to go.

You can get started today with access to the Travel Revolution preview at no cost by clicking here.

Last but not least: Please note travel requirements can change quickly. Always check yourself to determine the travel requirements for your itinerary, whether travelling internationally or within Canada. We continue to recommend reviewing requirements for your itinerary before you book your trip, and once again prior to travelling to prevent surprises.

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