Travel during the continuing PANDEMIC

[Guest]

Canada extends international travel restrictions once more

CBC/Radio-Canada © Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press 

The federal government has extended existing international travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, barring entry to most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for "essential" reasons.

In a news release issued Sunday, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair and Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced that travel restrictions on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada from the U.S. will be extended until Dec. 21.

Similarly, restrictions on travellers arriving from other countries will be extended until Jan. 21, as will the mandatory requirement for anyone who is granted entry to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Emergency orders brought forward on Mar. 16 banned most foreign nationals from entering Canada for non-essential travel. There are a number of exceptions for immediate family members of citizens, essential workers, seasonal workers, caregivers and international students, to name a few.

By extending the expiration dates to the 21st of the month, today's change brings the timing of the international travel restrictions in alignment with those governing the Canada-U.S. land border. Previously, international restrictions expired on the last day of each month while the Canada-U.S. border restrictions expired on the 21st.

Both have been regularly extended since March.

"The government continues to evaluate the travel restrictions and prohibitions as well as the requirement to quarantine or isolate on an ongoing basis to ensure Canadians remain healthy and safe," the release said.

"The ability to align U.S. and international travel extension dates, as well as the mandatory isolation order, beginning on Jan. 21, 2021 will enable the government to communicate any travel extensions or changes as quickly as possible and provide certainty for Canadians, U.S. and international travelers."

Exemption for amateur sports events

The release also said the government will begin accepting applications from "high-performance amateur sport organizations" seeking to hold single sport events in Canada. Applicants will need to show they have a plan to protect public health that is approved by provincial or territorial officials and the relevant local health authorities in order to be considered.

Sport Canada, which is part of the Department of Canadian Heritage, will be responsible for authorizing such events, in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the release said.

More than 1,300 professional athletes have been issued national interest exemptions, which allow those who don't qualify under current COVID-19-related restrictions to travel to Canada, or to skip the mandatory 14-day quarantine when they arrive.

Last month, the federal government expanded the eligibility for people coming from the U.S. on compassionate grounds. Those changes governing family reunification have been broadened to include exceptions for certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents including couples who have been dating for at least a year, including their children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents. 

Despite travel restrictions, more than five million arrivals into Canada have been allowed to skip the 14-day quarantine requirement, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency, mainly because they're essential workers.

[Guest]

Coronavirus: How do you vaccinate 7.7 billion people? Coronavirus: How do you vaccinate 7.7 billion people?     What happens once a coronavirus vaccine is approved? Kalipso Chalkidou, director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development and Nicole Hassoun, an ethicist at Binghamton University in the US, discuss five challenges we'll need to overcome to vaccinate billions of people around the world. Hear more from Prof Chalkidou on BBC Health Check and Prof Hassoun on BBC Science in Action.

[Guest]

Canada extends international travel restrictions once more
CBC/Radio-Canada  12 hrs ago

The federal government has once again extended international travel restrictions that bar entry to most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for 'essential' reasons The federal government has once again extended international travel restrictions that bar entry to most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for 'essential' reasons.
The federal government has extended existing international travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, barring entry to most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for "essential" reasons.

In a news release issued Sunday, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair and Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced that travel restrictions on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada from the U.S. will be extended until Dec. 21.

Similarly, restrictions on travellers arriving from other countries will be extended until Jan. 21, as will the mandatory requirement for anyone who is granted entry to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Emergency orders brought forward on Mar. 16 banned most foreign nationals from entering Canada for non-essential travel. There are a number of exceptions for immediate family members of citizens, essential workers, seasonal workers, caregivers and international students, to name a few.

By extending the expiration dates to the 21st of the month, today's change brings the timing of the international travel restrictions in alignment with those governing the Canada-U.S. land border. Previously, international restrictions expired on the last day of each month while the Canada-U.S. border restrictions expired on the 21st.

Both have been regularly extended since March.

"The government continues to evaluate the travel restrictions and prohibitions as well as the requirement to quarantine or isolate on an ongoing basis to ensure Canadians remain healthy and safe," the release said.

"The ability to align U.S. and international travel extension dates, as well as the mandatory isolation order, beginning on Jan. 21, 2021 will enable the government to communicate any travel extensions or changes as quickly as possible and provide certainty for Canadians, U.S. and international travelers."

Exemption for amateur sports events
The release also said the government will begin accepting applications from "high-performance amateur sport organizations" seeking to hold single sport events in Canada. Applicants will need to show they have a plan to protect public health that is approved by provincial or territorial officials and the relevant local health authorities in order to be considered.

Sport Canada, which is part of the Department of Canadian Heritage, will be responsible for authorizing such events, in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the release said.

More than 1,300 professional athletes have been issued national interest exemptions, which allow those who don't qualify under current COVID-19-related restrictions to travel to Canada, or to skip the mandatory 14-day quarantine when they arrive.

Last month, the federal government expanded the eligibility for people coming from the U.S. on compassionate grounds. Those changes governing family reunification have been broadened to include exceptions for certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents including couples who have been dating for at least a year, including their children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents. 

Despite travel restrictions, more than five million arrivals into Canada have been allowed to skip the 14-day quarantine requirement, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency, mainly because they're essential workers.

[j.k.]

Hajdu's not worried, she just flies around in government jets.

 

Hypocrite.

[boestar]

13 hours ago, Malcolm said:

Coronavirus: How do you vaccinate 7.7 billion people? Coronavirus: How do you vaccinate 7.7 billion people?     What happens once a coronavirus vaccine is approved? Kalipso Chalkidou, director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development and Nicole Hassoun, an ethicist at Binghamton University in the US, discuss five challenges we'll need to overcome to vaccinate billions of people around the world. Hear more from Prof Chalkidou on BBC Health Check and Prof Hassoun on BBC Science in Action.

you dont  you vaccinate 75% of them

 

[Kasey]

Ok.... so how do you vaccinate 5.775 billion people 

[Guest]

54 minutes ago, Kasey said:

Ok.... so how do you vaccinate 5.775 billion people 

a 1 and a 2 and a 3.............. 

[boestar]

2 hours ago, Kasey said:

Ok.... so how do you vaccinate 5.775 billion people 

one at a time

[dagger]

https://twitter.com/SweeneyABC/status/1333770354104430592

[conehead]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/uk-vaccine-covid-19-restaurants-bars-blocked-1.5822648

Don't want the COVID-19 vaccine? You could lose access to normal life, says U.K. minister

Edited December 1, 2020 by conehead

[Guest]

Just when you thought there might be a light on the horizon.

Countries ban flights from UK over new variant

A number of European countries have or are considering banning travel from the UK to prevent the spread of a more infectious variant of coronavirus.

a room that has a sign on the side of a building© Getty Images
Both the Netherlands and Belgium have suspended flights. Trains to Belgium have also been banned.

Germany is considering similar action.

UK PM Boris Johnson on Saturday scrapped a planned relaxation of Christmas rules for London and large parts of south-east England where cases of the new variant are rising fast.

Health officials say there is no evidence to suggest the new variant is more deadly, or would react differently to vaccines, but it is proving to be up to 70% more transmissible.

The WHO says the same mutation has also been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.

Within hours of the UK announcement, the Netherlands said it would ban all passenger flights from the UK from 06:00 (05:00 GMT) on Sunday until 1 January.

Pending "greater clarity" on the situation in the UK, the Dutch government said that further "risk of the new virus strain being introduced to the Netherlands should be minimised as much as possible".

It also said it would work with other European Union member states in the coming days to "explore the scope for further limiting the risk of the new strain of the virus being brought over from the UK".

Belgium is suspending flights and train arrivals from the UK from midnight (23:00 GMT) Sunday. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told Belgian television channel VRT the ban would be in place for at least 24 hours and "is a precautionary measure", adding "we will see later if we need additional measures".

Meanwhile, a German health ministry official told AFP news agency that Germany was also considering banning flights from the UK, and South Africa.

The official said the German government was monitoring developments in the UK and working at "high pressure" to evaluate the new information and data regarding the new variant.

 

[Kip Powick]

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Kip Powick said:

 

funny only if you are not involved.

UK passengers on a plane to Germany were told to deboard or face mandatory coronavirus testing and quarantine at the airport when they landed

insider@insider.com (Connor Perrett)  2 hrs ago

 

 

 

 

---

%7B

Feds weigh response to new COVID-19 strain amid call to ban travel from UK

%7B

Who gets Covid-19 vaccine next? Older adults and 'frontline essential…

UK passengers on a plane to Germany were told to deboard or face mandatory coronavirus testing and quarantine at the airport when they landed

 

 

 

 

 

%7B© Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images FILE: A Eurowings aircraft lands near Stuttgart Airport in Stuttgart Germany in September, 2020. Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images

• A pilot on a German-bound flight from the UK told non-German passengers aboard the Sunday flight they needed to get off the plane before it took off or face mandatory COVID-19 testing and a subsequent quarantine when they landed, according to audio published by BILD.
• The pilot first said passengers would quarantine in hotels at or near the airport, but in a subsequent message, he said passengers would remain at the airport due to a lack of space at hotels.
• "Passengers without a German passport need to be aware that there are no more hotel rooms available, all hotels reached maximum occupancy in Stuttgart," the pilot told passengers in audio obtained by BILD, offering them the opportunity to deplane. 
• A number of European countries, including Germany, have imposed restrictions on travel with the UK over a new, potentially more contagious strain of COVID-19 detected there.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Passengers on at least one flight Sunday departing the UK headed to Germany were told by the plane's pilot they faced a mandatory test and quarantine upon landing at Stuttgart Airport should they choose to remain on board the aircraft.

 

In audio obtained by the German publication BILD, which is owned by Insider's parent company Axel Springer SE, a pilot on a Eurowings flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Stuttgart Airport in Germany informed passengers of the new requirements.

"I am the captain of this flight," the pilot says in a message delivered in English over the plane's intercom system, alerting passengers to an "important announcement" with little room for "discussion." 

The pilot continued, adding that all passengers with German passports will "go through the police station" as normal but said those who do not carry German passports would be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 immediately upon landing in Germany before they were brought to a hotel at or near Stuttgart Airport to quarantine until receiving their test result.

In a subsequent recording, translated from German into English by Business Insider, the Eurowings pilot updated passengers that hotel space at and near the airport had reached capacity. 

[Guest]

Canada halts flights from U.K. in response to new coronavirus strain

Ashley Burke, Ryan Patrick Jones  19 mins ago CBC News obtained a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Transport Canada stating that inbound flights transporting passengers from the U.K. will be suspended indefinitely as of midnight.

Canada joined several European nations in halting flights from the U.K. on Sunday in an effort to prevent a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus from spreading to this country.

CBC News obtained a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Transport Canada stating that inbound flights transporting passengers from the U.K. will be suspended indefinitely as of midnight tonight. The restriction doesn't apply to cargo flights or aircraft landing for safety reasons.

The decision followed an afternoon meeting of the Incident Response Group (IRG), a group of cabinet members and senior government officials. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair all attended the meeting, according to Trudeau's office.

New coronavirus strain
The IRG meeting was convened as several European nations restricted travel from the U.K. after Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Saturday that a new variant of the coronavirus that is more than 70 per cent more transmissible than existing strains is driving a rapid rise in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in the U.K.

Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Italy all blocked flights from the U.K. — some for 48 hours and others for longer. Germany called a special crisis meeting of EU countries scheduled for Monday to co-ordinate the response to the virus news among the bloc's 27 member states.

Johnson also announced strict lockdown measures for the city of London and much of the southern U.K. because of the existence of the strain. Those measures would see non-essential shops close and household mixing banned just days before Christmas celebrations.

Johnson said the new strain of coronavirus, while more contagious, doesn't appear to cause more severe infections or a higher rate of death. There is also no evidence that existing vaccines wouldn't provide immunity against it, Johnson said.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock added to the alarm when he said "the new variant is out of control."

The U.K. recorded 35,928 further confirmed cases on Sunday, around double the number from a week earlier.

Canada has severely restricted travel into the country since March. Broadly, only citizens, permanent residents and specialized foreign workers — most of whom travel from the U.S. — are granted entry. There are some exceptions, including for close family members of citizens and permanent residents.

 

[Kip Powick]

Malcolm,

What you say i s definitely true but I think I am echoing what a multitude of people are feeling. I am so sick of all radio and TV stations carrying hour by hour, day by day blow of the virus, the pending vaccination, the arguments by the "talking heads" concerning what one state, one province, and one country is doing NOW....All this information is mind numbing and after awhile, many people just  tune out,. 

The number of deaths is astounding and the media keeps comparing the totals of every disaster every country in the world has had in the past to the deaths being cause by the virus now.

There are just so many stupid people out there that do not, and will not adhere to the directions given by the experts  as to what every individual should do to "flatten the curve" so after awhile, and I am one, I just don't care about the fools that feel they are immune and are "spreaders" of the virus and I even care less when individuals who do not abide by the rules "die".

This whole freaking mess could have been solved months ago if someone in authority locked down every business and had people stay home for 30 or more days but politicians are politicians and they want to be reelected so they are not going to pi--off an entire city/province, but rather take it easy and "appear" to be doing what is best for the country.

Does anyone feel that our country, for example, would disintegrate if we locked/closed  all the borders, ceased ALL travel, mandated masks,  and told the public to stay in doors for 30 days ?

Yes, if I were King, there would be some autocratic regulations in place because.....as King I don't have to worry about re-election.

Remember when PET was asked by a cheeky reporter  if he would invoke the "War Measures Act" during the FLQ crisis .

I am definitely not any Trudeau fan but I cherished his answer........"Just watch me".. There was a leader ......at that time

If you, or anyone reading this, has lost a loved one to the virus, I am truly sorry and I sympathize with you  but I will always wonder........did it have to happen ?? Maybe not, if someone had the intestinal fortitude  to take a very unpopular, but NECESSARY, stand as soon as this whole debacle started.. 

Flame away...it's just my opinion...

[Guest]

34 minutes ago, Kip Powick said:

Malcolm,

What you say i s definitely true but I think I am echoing what a multitude of people are feeling. I am so sick of all radio and TV stations carrying hour by hour, day by day blow of the virus, the pending vaccination, the arguments by the "talking heads" concerning what one state, one province, and one country is doing NOW....All this information is mind numbing and after awhile, many people just  tune out,. 

The number of deaths is astounding and the media keeps comparing the totals of every disaster every country in the world has had in the past to the deaths being cause by the virus now.

There are just so many stupid people out there that do not, and will not adhere to the directions given by the experts  as to what every individual should do to "flatten the curve" so after awhile, and I am one, I just don't care about the fools that feel they are immune and are "spreaders" of the virus and I even care less when individuals who do not abide by the rules "die".

This whole freaking mess could have been solved months ago if someone in authority locked down every business and had people stay home for 30 or more days but politicians are politicians and they want to be reelected so they are not going to pi--off an entire city/province, but rather take it easy and "appear" to be doing what is best for the country.

Does anyone feel that our country, for example, would disintegrate if we locked/closed  all the borders, ceased ALL travel, mandated masks,  and told the public to stay in doors for 30 days ?

Yes, if I were King, there would be some autocratic regulations in place because.....as King I don't have to worry about re-election.

Remember when PET was asked by a cheeky reporter  if he would invoke the "War Measures Act" during the FLQ crisis .

I am definitely not any Trudeau fan but I cherished his answer........"Just watch me".. There was a leader ......at that time

If you, or anyone reading this, has lost a loved one to the virus, I am truly sorry and I sympathize with you  but I will always wonder........did it have to happen ?? Maybe not, if someone had the intestinal fortitude  to take a very unpopular, but NECESSARY, stand as soon as this whole debacle started.. 

Flame away...it's just my opinion...

I can agree that the media coverage is non ending but so is the virus and that seems to be never ending. To ignore the news is a little like an ostrich burying it's head in the sand. Knowledge is after all  power. Hindsight remains at 20/20

My reply to you does not fit Flaming.

Quote

 

Flaming is the online act of posting insults, often laced with profanity or other offensive language on social networking sites.[1] This term should not be confused with the term trolling, which is the act of someone going online, or in person, and causing discord. Flaming emerged from the anonymity that Internet forums provide cover for users to act more aggressively.[2] Anonymity can lead to disinhibition, which results in the swearing, offensive, and hostile language characteristic of flaming. Lack of social cues, less accountability of face-to-face communications, textual mediation and deindividualization are also likely factors.[3] Deliberate flaming is carried out by individuals known as flamers, which are specifically motivated to incite flaming. These users specialize in flaming and target specific aspects of a controversial conversation.

While these behaviors may be typical or expected in certain types of forums, they can have dramatic, adverse effects in others. Flame wars can have a lasting impact on some internet communities where even once a flame war has concluded a division or even dissolution may occur.[3]

The pleasant commentaries within a chat room or message board can be limited by a "war of words" fight or "flaming" with the intent to seek out a negative reaction from the reader. Humphreys defines flaming as "the use of hostile language online, including swearing, insults and otherwise offensive language".[3] Flaming by perpetrators within the online community is commonly received by messaging through text and rarely by face to face or video communication. By basing their conversations on text and not taking full accountability as the 'flamer', they have a reduced self-awareness of others feelings, emotions and reactions based on the comments that they provide within the virtual community. The reader now has the perception that this 'flamer' is difficult, rude and possibly a bully. The flamer may have limited social cues, emotional intelligence to adapt to others reactions and lack of awareness of how they are being perceived. Their personal social norms, may be considered disrespectful to the reader that has different social norms, education and experience with what is and is not appropriate within virtual communities.

The individuals that create an environment of flaming and hostility, lead the readers to disengage with the offender and may potentially leave the message board and chat room. By leaving the flaming situation, the reader has reacted calmly with limited misinterpretations. The continual use of flaming within the online community can create a disruptive and negative experience for those involved and can lead to limited involvement and engagement within the original chat room and program.[4]

 

 

 

[FA@AC]

Canada now on the list of countries banning flights from the UK.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-flights-uk-coronavirus-1.5849598

[Kip Powick]

Malcolm said 

I can agree that the media coverage is non ending but so is the virus and that seems to be never ending. To ignore the news is a little like an ostrich burying it's head in the sand. Knowledge is after all  power. Hindsight remains at 20/20

I never suggested we ignore the news, what I was trying to covey is that having the virus as the headliner on every news cast is getting mind numbing. 

Good grief Malcolm, are you assuming everybody who offers a rebuttal is flaming ???  I do not....... but I am sure that some may post that I am totally out to lunch, crazy, and not in touch with reality..... and years ago we used to call that "flaming"....not that long winded explanation you posted and I have never seen anyone lace a reply with  profanity aimed at another poster on this forum.........beside I know who you are and you know who I am........no anonymity between us...

[FA@AC]

Update:  CBC now reports that Canada's ban on flights from the UK will apply for 72 hours only.

[Guest]

Further"

Canada to suspend all flights from U.K. for 72 hours as new coronavirus variant spreads - National | Globalnews.ca

[J.O.]

13 hours ago, FA@AC said:

Update:  CBC now reports that Canada's ban on flights from the UK will apply for 72 hours only.

They didn't say the ban was only for 72 hours. The NOTAM was issued for 72 hours while they assess the situation more fully. There are a few factors to consider.

Edited December 21, 2020 by J.O.

[FA@AC]

19 minutes ago, J.O. said:

They didn't say the ban was only for 72 hours. The NOTAM was issued for 72 hours while they assess the situation more fully. There are a few factors to consider.

Yup, CBC has since updated the article again to report that.

[Specs]

I expect that whatever mutation they have over there is already here so it's only a matter of time before we exceed the various provincial health systems ICU capacity.  The lockdowns can't come quick or soon enough.  Anybody needing surgery in the next little while will be SOL otherwise.    

 

[Guest]

Minister Garneau directs the Canadian Transportation Agency to develop a new regulation to address future large-scale flight cancellations

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE PR Newswire

 Dec. 21, 2020, 05:15 PM

 

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, issued this statement today on a new Ministerial Direction to the Canadian Transportation Agency to ensure that the interests of Canadians are protected when they travel by air:

"Air travel is essential to Canada's economic growth and prosperity, and when Canadians buy an airline ticket, they expect airlines to meet their obligations. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a gap in the air passenger protection framework, which did not foresee the potential for large-scale and lengthy flight cancellations and groundings of air carrier fleets not only in Canada but globally. In the event of a future situation that causes similar large-scale flight cancellations, this gap needs to be closed so that travellers are treated fairly.

"Today I issued a Ministerial Direction to provide the Canadian Transportation Agency with the authority to develop a new regulation on the issue of refunds to passengers. This new regulation will apply to future flights that are cancelled for reasons outside an air carrier's control, such as a pandemic, and where it is not possible for the carrier to complete the passenger's itinerary within a reasonable timeframe.

"This updated regulation should be made in a manner that is fair and reasonable to passengers, and to the extent possible not impose an undue financial burden on air carriers that could lead to their insolvency. As I announced on November 8, 2020, the Government of Canada is developing a package of assistance to Canadian airlines, airports and the aerospace sector that will include strict conditions to protect Canadians and the public interest, including issuing refunds for flights cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new regulation will ensure that a similar situation doesn't occur again in the future."

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

 

 

 

This statement may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities. 

SOURCE Transport Canada

[Fido]

20 hours ago, Malcolm said:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair all attended the meeting,

and not a full brain amongst them