dagger Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, dagger said: Not your usual helpful answer. Canada is working with IATA and ICAO on folding Canada into one or more of the international systems under development. Talks are rather intensive. Here is some helpful background on how the Brits are handling the situation right now, without passes. Obviously, this is an interim process, but it dispenses with outright flight bans. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/portugal-moved-to-amber-list-to-guard-public-health-against-variants-of-concern-following-first-traffic-light-review?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=101eebf5-6928-45f1-a2d2-7ca9879d0846&utm_content=immediately We could reinstate nonstop flights from India and Pakistan, but process them at the YYZ infield terminal. I don't know if similar segregation can be achieved at YVR. There are solutions to phase in normalcy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Trudeau will do COVID-19 hotel quarantine after G7 meetings in U.K. Trudeau will do COVID-19 hotel quarantine after G7 meetings in U.K. - National | Globalnews.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specs Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Paying for the hotel stay himself I bet? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AIP Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kargokings said: Trudeau will do COVID-19 hotel quarantine after G7 meetings in U.K. Trudeau will do COVID-19 hotel quarantine after G7 meetings in U.K. - National | Globalnews.ca Can't be bothered to read the article. But what about the rest of his entourage ?? Of course, this is just another photo op. I am sure he will land at an approved airport as well right (YVR, YYC, YYZ, YUL) ??? When will the madness ever end ???? Edited June 4, 2021 by AIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 15 minutes ago, AIP said: Can't be bothered to read the article. But what about the rest of his entourage ?? Of course, this is just another photo op. I am sure he will land at an approved airport as well right (YVR, YYC, YYZ, YUL) ??? When will the madness ever end ???? Your answers will come through the power of reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Canadian Airlines Are Offering Amazing Domestic Flight Deals by Canadian Airlines Are Offering Amazing Domestic Flight Deals - Simple Flying Chris Loh June 5, 2021 3 minute read Despite the overall COVID-19 situation improving thanks to a steady vaccination rollout, provincial governments within Canada don’t seem quite ready to encourage travel just yet- not even domestically. However, this hasn’t stopped Canadian carriers from offering some truly stellar deals – especially when considering the normal cost of flying within Canada! Let’s take a look at some of the airfares for domestic travel in Canada, and examine why carriers might be offering them. Flying within Canada is typically more expensive than similar distance routes in other markets such as Europe, the United States, or parts of Asia. Photo: Air Canada *Please note that all monetary figures contained in this article are Canadian dollars (CAD), as we are discussing Canadian domestic airfares. Less than half of a ‘normal’ airfare Anyone who’s flown from Canada’s Westcoast to the nation’s largest city, Toronto, knows that this five-hour journey would typically cost about $500 Canadian round-trip. In ‘normal,’ non-pandemic times, $500 might even be considered a good deal. That’s why it’s quite shocking to see what airlines are currently offering on one of the country’s busiest long-distance services. Relative newcomer Flair Airlines (an ultra-low-cost carrier) has YVR-YYZ priced out as low as $162 for a nonstop flight. Meanwhile, WestJet has this route selling for as low as $235. More expensive than the rest, Air Canada has fares from $277 – still a good deal when compared to what you would normally pay. If we look at a slightly longer route between Vancouver and Montreal, we see that fares are also quite heavily discounted from normal prices. So why are airfares currently so low? There are several factors that might explain the low-cost of tickets. Competition Firstly, the presence of relative newcomer, Flair Airlines, may have the effect of bringing ticket prices down. The ULCC’s airfares are unbundled, meaning that allowances you might be used to getting on a legacy carrier will cost extra. In the case of Flair, the lowest published ticket price strictly includes only a personal item, “which must be stored at your feet.” Thus, checked baggage, and even having a bag that will be stored in the overhead locker, will incur additional fees. This practice is fairly standard with low-cost carriers in Europe. Despite the unbundled airfare, Flair Airline’s presence in the market is likely forcing its rivals to drop their numbers to something a little more competitive. “Providing affordable air travel within Canada is the first step in restarting travel and tourism, and Flair is uniquely positioned with the efficiencies of our low-cost model,” Flair President and CEO Stephen Jones tells Simple Flying. “When non-essential travel returns, Flair will be there to reconnect families and provide the low fares that have long been denied to Canadians” Flair Airlines operates several Boeing 737-800 aircraft but will soon begin service with its first 737 MAX 8. Photo: Alexis via Flickr Stimulating demand Canada and its provinces currently have a diverse mix of domestic travel restrictions in place. Some provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, have no restrictions on arrivals from other parts of the country. In British Columbia, however, an order restricting non-essential travel between certain regions of the province remains in place until June 15th at midnight. For Ontario, travel from Manitoba or Quebec into the province is restricted. However, with an improving epidemiological situation, much of this may change in the coming weeks. Speaking with CTV News, Frederic Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism at Ryerson University, believes that airlines are looking to stimulate weak demand by lowering their ticket prices. The timing of these deals is such that the carriers are hoping to take advantage of the improving COVID situation and the anticipated relaxation of travel restrictions and travel advisories. Dimanche also thinks that significant discounts are being offered to lure Canadians back onboard aircraft to demonstrate that air travel is indeed safe. “We know Canadians are not confident about traveling yet…They need to be told it’s safe to travel again and that’s one objective of the pricing strategies,” he tells CTV. Fares won’t last long These low fares aren’t expected to last long. Indeed, airfares in Canada, like most of the world, follow the general market forces of supply and demand. Thus, as demand increases (largely in the form of eased travel restrictions), supply is bound to shrink as Canadians book their tickets. WestJet is Canada’s second-largest airline. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying Adding to this, it’s highly expected that there will be pent-up travel demand as many Canadians are eager to visit family, friends, and relatives in other parts of the country- something they may not have been able to do for almost an entire year. 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Guest1 Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 Spain Confirms It Will Open For Vaccinated Foreigners On Monday byMark Finlay June 6, 2021 3 minute read ADVERTISEMENT While there has been some doubt about when people from outside the European Union will be able to visit Spain, it is now being clarified. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez previously spoke about plans at the end of last month, and the government has now followed up on these statements. Spain will welcome vaccinated visitors from tomorrow. Photo: Iberia When speaking to reporters at the Fitur tourism fair in Madrid on May 21 Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: “From June 7, tourists from other countries with which there is not complete free movement (non-EU), among them the United States, will be able to enter Spain provided they count on a certificate showing they have received their full COVID-19 vaccinations.” When reporting on follow-ups since the prime ministers’ remarks, the Spanish daily newspaper El Pais says that government sources have told them that certain conditions must be met. Visitors from outside the European Union will need to have received both doses of the vaccine or, in the case of Janssen, a single shot 14 days before arriving in Spain. Spain will be open from June 7 According to the same government sources, the order is due to be released in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and is still being prepared by Health and Interior ministries. In the meantime, the Embassy of Spain in the United States tweeted to say that Spain would be open to non-EU visitors from Monday, June 7, 2021. Another question that the order has to clarify is exactly which vaccines will be recognized. The thought is that Spain will only accept people who have been vaccinated by a dose approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 AIRLINES United will require new employees to show proof of Covid vaccine, following Delta PUBLISHED SAT, JUN 5 20216:41 PM EDTUPDATED SAT, JUN 5 202110:14 PM EDT KEY POINTS United said it will require new hires from outside of the company to attest that they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The move follows a similar action by rival Delta last month. Companies are grappling with whether to require staff to be vaccinated and how to encourage employees to get inoculated. United will require new employees to show proof of Covid vaccine, following Delta (cnbc.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 Cruise ship lines' policies on requiring vaccination, as of May 31, 2021: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-line-covid-vaccine-policy/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 Nunavut lifts 14-day quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travellers The Canadian Press Published Monday, June 7, 2021 11:23AM EDT IQALUIT -- Travellers who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine will soon be exempt from a 14-day stay in Nunavut's government-run isolation hotels. Fully vaccinated travellers will be free to travel in and out of the territory without isolating and without a COVID-19 test starting June 14. Since March of 2020, Nunavut has required all travellers to isolate in a hotel in southern Canada before flying into the territory. Nunavut's chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, says current evidence shows fully vaccinated people are less likely to acquire and transmit the virus. Travellers need to apply for an isolation exemption through the Nunavut government and provide proof of vaccination. Patterson says vaccinated adults with children who aren't vaccinated will still need to complete 14 days of isolation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2021. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 Airline launches giveaway to propel vaccine uptake in N.W.T. communities Residents in Hay River, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Łutselk'e, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì are eligible Liny Lamberink · CBC News · Posted: Jun 07, 2021 9:02 AM CT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago Sheila Laity, a nurse practitioner, talks to a patient before administering the second dose of the Moderna vaccine in Nahanni Butte, N.W.T. (Anna Desmarais/CBC) The COVID-19 vaccine campaign in the Northwest Territories is getting a helping hand from a local airline. Air Tindi is encouraging residents in Hay River, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Łutselk'e, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì to get the shot with a prize giveaway. "Our communities are so important to us. They've shown us a lot of support over the years, and that is where vaccine uptake is the least," said Chris Reynolds, the airline's president. According to the N.W.T. COVID-19 dashboard, the lowest vaccination rate in the territory is in the Tłı̨chǫ region — which includes Behchokǫ, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì. There, 44 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated and 54 per cent have their first dose. In the Dehcho region, which includes Fort Simpson, 65 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and 71 per cent have their first dose, while in Hay River, 56 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and 64 per cent have their first dose. The entire territory's rate of fully vaccinated residents is at 61 per cent. Reynolds said it would be "perfect" if it rose to 70 per cent. "But even if it's just a reasonable percentage in the small communities, it protects them so much more," he said. 'This is our head office' The airline feels "responsible" for playing a role in vaccine uptake because of its close relationship with the communities it flies to, said Reynolds, and also because it's one of the large, solely N.W.T.-based airlines. "All our employees live here. This is our head office," he said. Reynolds said the idea came up Friday — and the turnaround was quick. Airline employees had 24 hours to provide input, a poster was designed, and by Saturday evening there was a post on Facebook promising free passenger air travel for life, a new Skidoo, and a trip to see the Edmonton Oilers as prizes. The value, said Reynolds, is around $100,000. Reynolds said Air Tindi's losses amid the pandemic have been in the tens of millions of dollars, but the airline has seen "so much support" from both the community and the Government of the Northwest Territories. "It was important to us to give back, where we can," he said. As vaccination rates climb, thoughts across the North turn to reopening N.W.T.'s 'Emerging Wisely' reopening plan comes out next week Full-time residents in the eligible communities can enter the Crush COVID Giveaway by submitting a photo of themselves, receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine or a photo of their vaccine card. Reynolds said he's working on a way to verify that the winners announced in mid-September have received both doses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 On 6/3/2021 at 10:10 AM, dagger said: Not your usual helpful answer. but it was spot on the truth 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 Russia Wants You To Visit To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine byJoanna Bailey June 9, 2021 3 minute read Russia was the first country in the world to certify a COVID vaccine, with the development of its Sputnik V formula. But with low uptake rates domestically and Russia’s tourism sector crying out for business, the nation is working up plans to kill two birds with one stone. The Russian Union of Travel Industry is developing a complete holiday package for guests to visit, vaccinate and tour the best of Russia, hoping for launch by the end of the month. Russia is hoping to tempt international tourists with a visit and vaccinate package. Photo: Getty Images From Russia with vaccines Russia wants more tourists, and is willing to go the extra mile to get them. According to state news outlet TASS, the nation is preparing vaccine travel packages to entice more people to visit. Under current plans, visitors could be able to take a three-week trip to Russia and get their vaccine shot at the same time. President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) Andrei Ignatyev told TASS that preparations to launch such packages were almost ready. However, he noted that there were still some issues with eligibility for entry to Russia. He said, “Travel agencies were ready to organize vaccination tours at the beginning of the year since they regularly received such requests from all over the world. The product is ready, but the issues of visa support and legal entry for foreigners wishing to receive the Russian vaccine are yet to be resolved.” The Sputnik V was the first vaccination to be developed. Photo: Getty Images The tour would include accommodation in Russia for the three-week period. Prices would range from $1,500 to $2,500 but would exclude the airfare cost. Ignatyev indicated that this would be more of a tour than just a holiday, saying that, “This is a combination of vaccination with a cultural and excursion program, which can be arranged very interestingly, capturing different regions of Russia.” Full details of what’s included in the packages are yet to be revealed. It’s also unknown whether the package will include just the first shot or both. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. Slow uptake in Russia Part of the reason for this initiative is the slow uptake of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID vaccination, the first to be authorized for use in the world. Russia approved the medicine in August last year, but it has not been approved in many other countries and domestic uptake has been sluggish. According to Our World In Data, only 9.3% of the local population has been fully vaccinated. Just over 12% have received at least one dose. That puts Russia behind nations like India, South Korea and Brazil, but ahead of Japan for percentage of population inoculated. Russia’s vaccination rates lag behind many countries. Source: Our World In Data In terms of a target market for this Russian initiative, it’s unlikely the government will find much uptake from countries with high vaccination rates. As such, the UK, Europe, Israel and the United States are likely not key focuses for marketing such a package. Rather, the tour will be aimed towards countries such as India, Africa and parts of Latin America. Ignatyev noted, “The countries of Africa and Latin America showed great interest in such a tourist product during the entire period of the vaccination campaign in Russia, the RUTI received such requests.” The Maldives is offering vaccination vacations to attract tourists. Photo: Getty Images If it launches, Russia won’t be the first country to hop on the vaccine tourism wagon. The Maldives has been open for visitors to stay and get vaccinated for several weeks, and Guam recently launched vaccine tours for American ex-pats living in East Asia and the Pacific. Indonesia is toying with the idea, Alaska is already doing it, and tiny San Marino is giving out vaccine shots to those willing to visit this summer. For Russia, there are still some hurdles to clear to get its vaccine tour off the ground. However, the Moscow Times reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to get the scheme launched by the end of June. Speaking to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he said, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-travel-coronavirus-vaccine-health-83594cbef7ac77a7522210f990a6aeff Europe tells tourists: Welcome back! Now work out the rules By The Associated Presstoday PARIS (AP) — Europe is opening up to Americans and other visitors after more than a year of COVID-induced restrictions, in hope of luring back tourists — and their dollars — to the continent’s trattorias, vistas and cultural treasures. But travelers will need patience to figure out who’s allowed into which country, how and when. As the European Union’s doors reopen one by one to the outside world for the first time since March 2020, tourists will discover a patchwork of systems instead of a single border-free leisure zone, because national governments have resisted surrendering control over their frontiers amid the pandemic. And post-Brexit Britain is going its own way altogether. Meanwhile, the welcoming mood isn’t always mutual. U.S. borders, for example, remain largely closed to non-Americans. Here’s a look at current entry rules in some popular European tourist destinations. One caveat: While these are the regulations as written by governments, travelers may meet hiccups as airlines or railway officials try to make sense of them. FRANCE If you’re vaccinated, come to France. But only if you got one of the four EU-approved vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. That works for Americans — as long as they can produce official proof of vaccination — but not for large swaths of the world like China and Russia where other vaccines are used. France’s borders officially reopened Wednesday. Vaccinated visitors from outside Europe and a few “green” countries will still be asked for a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, or a negative antigen test of no more than 48 hours. Unvaccinated children will be allowed in with vaccinated adults, but will have to show a negative test from age 11. Tourists are banned from 16 countries wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants that are on a red list that includes India, South Africa and Brazil. Non-vaccinated visitors from “orange list” countries — including the U.S. and Britain — can’t come for tourism either, only for specific, imperative reasons. ITALY Americans — the second-biggest group of foreign tourists to Italy — have been welcome since mid-May. However, they need to self-isolate upon arrival for 10 days unless they arrive on so-called “COVID-tested flights.” That means passengers are tested before and after the flight and must fill out documents about their whereabouts to facilitate contact tracing if required. “COVID-tested” flights from the U.S. started in December and have also been operating since May from Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. Italy also started allowing tourists from Britain and Israel last month, meaning they no longer need an “essential” reason to visit and don’t have to self-isolate, providing they present proof of a negative COVID test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. The same rules apply to travelers from EU countries and those on “COVID-tested” flights from the U.S., Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. GREECE Tourism-reliant Greece started opening to American travelers back in April, and now visitors from China, Britain and 20 other countries are also allowed to visit for nonessential travel. All must provide a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test and fill in a passenger locator form on their plans in Greece. This directive expires on June 14, but could be extended. Athens long pressed for a common EU approach, but didn’t wait for one to materialize. On June 1, Greece, Germany and five other bloc members introduced a COVID certificate system for travelers, weeks ahead of the July 1 rollout of the program across the 27-nation bloc. SPAIN Spain kicked off its summer tourism season Monday by welcoming vaccinated visitors from the U.S. and most countries, as well as European visitors who can prove they are not infected. Americans and most other non-Europeans need an official vaccine certificate by a health authority. Spain accepts those who were inoculated with the four EU-approved vaccines as well two Chinese vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization — as long as visitors are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before the trip. Arrivals from Brazil, South Africa and India are banned at the moment because of high infection rates there, and non-vaccinated Americans and many other non-EU nationalities cannot come to Spain for tourism for now. But there are exemptions for countries considered at low risk, such as citizens from Britain, who can arrive without any health documents at all. EU citizens need to provide proof of vaccination, a certificate showing they recently recovered from COVID-19, or a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 48 hours of arrival. BRITAIN There are few, if any, American tourists in the U.K. at present. Britain has a traffic-light system for assessing countries by risk, and the U.S. along with most European nations is on the “amber” list, meaning everyone arriving has to self-isolate at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days. U.K. and U.S. airlines and airport operators are pushing for a travel corridor to allow tourism to resume, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to raise the issue when he meets President Joe Biden at a G-7 summit in England this week. Meanwhile, anyone traveling between Britain and continental Europe, be warned: In addition to the isolation requirement for those arriving or returning to U.K. shores, rising concern about the delta variant of the virus has prompted some other countries to introduce special restrictions for those arriving from Britain. EUROPEAN UNION The 27-nation EU has no unified COVID tourism or border policy, but has been working for months on a joint digital travel certificate for those vaccinated, freshly tested, or recently recovered from the virus. EU lawmakers endorsed the plan Wednesday. The free certificates, which will contain a QR code with advanced security features, will allow people to move between European countries without having to quarantine or undergo extra coronavirus tests upon arrival. Several EU countries have already begun using the system, including Spain, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Poland. The rest are expected to start using it July 1. It’s mainly meant for EU citizens but Americans and others can obtain the certificate too — if they can convince authorities in an EU country they’re entering that they qualify for one. And the lack of an official U.S. vaccination certification system may complicate matters. ___ Associated Press reporters around Europe contributed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 Canada's $4.2 billion cruise industry risks being permanently decimated by proposed U.S. law Tristin Hopper 2 hrs ago© Provided by National Post Canada’s multi-billion dollar cruise ship industry could end up being one of the most permanent economic casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic if the U.S. follows through with a suite of new laws intended to help vessels bypass Canadian ports. This week, U.S. Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill that, among other things, would repeal a 135-year-old requirement for cruise ships to make a Canadian stopover enroute to Alaska. “This arcane law benefits Canada, Mexico, and other countries who receive increased maritime traffic, at the expense of American workers in our coastal cities,” wrote Lee in a June 10 statement . The Passenger Vessel Service Act, passed in 1886, slaps foreign-flagged ship owners with a fine of US$762 per passenger if they schedule a “closed loop” cruise that only visits U.S. ports. If, for example, the Royal Caribbean-owned Symphony of the Seas loads up its full complement of 6,680 passengers and then goes on a day cruise from Seattle to Portland, its owners can expect a $5 million fine on arrival. For Canada, the effect of the law has been to spur a booming trade in visits by cruise vessels looking to dodge the act’s strictures. This is most apparent on the West Coast, where the 1.7 million people who annually take a cruise ship from the Continental U.S. to Alaska must make a stopover in either Victoria or Vancouver. In Vancouver, the year 2019 saw 288 visits by Alaska-bound ships, bringing more than a million passengers into the city — a 22 per cent increase in passenger volumes as compared to the prior year. Victoria welcomed a record-breaking 257 ships, pulling in an estimated $130 million in local spending, according to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority . © Ben Nelms for National Post Each year under pre-pandemic conditions, the cruise industry is estimated to bring $4.2 billion in direct and indirect spending to Canada, according to a recent study by the Cruise Lines International Association . Almost all of this is thanks to vessels originating in U.S. ports. On the Atlantic Coast, ships originating mostly from New England bring an annual tide of 1.3 million passengers to Montreal, Quebec City or Halifax. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – as well as a number of high-profile outbreaks aboard cruise vessels – Canada initially delayed the start of its cruise season until July , before cancelling it entirely. At the time, Transport Canada’s ban was in line with maritime countries around the world. The U.S. Centres for Disease Control similarly issued a “no sail” order in March 2020. Even when that order was lifted in November, the Cruise Lines International Association, voluntarily agreed to suspend worldwide cruise operations until at least the end of 2020 . But as mass-vaccination campaigns now cause COVID-19 numbers to plummet across the developed world, regulators are beginning to back off their pandemic restrictions on cruising. Last month, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control cleared cruise lines to begin operating out of U.S. ports provided that 95 per cent of passengers were fully vaccinated . Once on board, conditions are virtually the same as in pre-pandemic times, with minimal social distancing, no masking requirements and even buffet service. Europe has also begun to reopen to cruises. Spain lifted its ban on cruise arrivals just this week , while the British cruise industry started back up in late May, provided passengers were either vaccinated or could provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test . Despite all this, Canada has held fast to a blanket ban on cruise ships until at least February 2022 . Regardless of the vaccination status of those aboard, “cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters,” according to Transport Canada. In February, a trio of Alaska representatives directly petitioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reconsider, saying they believed “there are many ways to achieve a safe sailing season without the extreme measure of a one year total ban.” “As neighbors and economic partners, we are discouraged by Canada’s lack of outreach before announcing this long term closure,” read the letter, signed by Alaska Congressman Don Young as well as the state’s two senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. When Ottawa refused to budge, U.S. lawmakers instead started passing workarounds to the Passenger Vessel Service Act. The 2021 Alaska cruise season is already safely bypassing Canadian ports thanks to the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act , a bill signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden that “temporarily allows foreign-owned and flagged cruise ships to transport passengers directly between ports in the states of Washington and Alaska without stopping in Canada.” The Passenger Vessel Service Act originated as a protectionist law, since it’s designed to ensure that intra-American passenger vessel traffic is reserved exclusively for U.S.-owned vessels. Although some of the world’s largest cruise companies are American-owned — such as the Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines — virtually every modern cruise vessel is considered a foreign ship since they fly “flags of convenience” in order to avoid U.S. taxes and labour regulations. The 23 ships operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, for instance, all fly the flags of either Panama, The Bahamas or Malta. Lee has moved to make the Alaska exemption permanent with a suite of bills gutting the Passenger Vessel Service Act, which the senator has called “bad news.” Most notably, his Safeguarding American Tourism Act would exempt any vessel of more than 800 passengers from the requirement to stop in Canada. “This ‘protectionist’ law is literally protecting no one, as there hasn’t been a cruise ship built domestically in over half a century,” said Lee , who fingered Canada as the primary beneficiary of the “arcane” law. In a Friday statement, B.C. transport minister Rob Fleming said that while he wasn’t worried about the temporary measures of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, “this new proposed legislation is of greater concern to British Columbia and Canadians. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, which has seen its revenues hit hard by the cruise cancellation, called on Ottawa to rescind its order against cruise ships in Canadian waters. As the group wrote in a Friday statement, “the threat of any temporary legislation becoming permanent exists and could decimate the $2.7 billion cruise industry in British Columbia.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpperDeck Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Of late, some threads seem to be comprised of published article after published article all of which are readily available during a daily perusal of " the news". Perhaps contentious and resulting in ad hominem assaults, aren't opinions of more interest and more likely to "stimulate" exchanges? The thread is "travel during the pandemic". I just re-entered Ontario by vehicle and got the impression that the CBSA is anticipating a significant reduction in travel restrictions. As we motored from one state to another, I found the attitude differences between states to be noteworthy. Maine was very relaxed with few people wearing masks outside. On the other hand, northern New York and Vermont appeared to be very mask conscious and cautious. Hotel after hotel was full but I was told that the majority of travellers are from neighbouring states or local. We saw no other vehicles with Canadian plates. As everyone knows, prices are increasing for everything. Although reported at $34 each, a lobster roll is generally available for around $18.00 in Maine. I bought two whole lobsters (1.5 lbs) for $31.00 and steaming was included. I was sorry to see how many businesses were shuttered and buildings vacant presumably due to Covid. Of interest....Ontario for the third day is reporting cases in excess of 500. Michigan which has fully opened, is reporting less than 350/ day. Since Ontario only partially "opened" on Friday, those reported cases arose during lockdown. Hey Doug....what do your polls tell you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 20% Of ‘Vaccine-Hesitant’ Canadians Say They'd Lie About Vaccination Status To Travel Helena Hanson 1 day ago Some Canadians who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 would be prepared to lie about their vaccination status in order to go abroad, a new study has found. %7B© Provided by Narcity Research conducted by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA), as part of a wider survey, found that one in five "vaccine-hesitant" Canadians would be prepared to fake it if it became essential to be vaccinated to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innuendo Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 6:13 PM, UpperDeck said: Of late, some threads seem to be comprised of published article after published article all of which are readily available during a daily perusal of " the news". Agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 7:13 PM, UpperDeck said: Of late, some threads seem to be comprised of published article after published article all of which are readily available during a daily perusal of " the news". Your POV assumes that everyone who reads this forum has or takes the time for a daily perusal of "the news". Some members are still "working stiffs" What is the purpose of a forum? Well, the purpose of a forum is to engage different groups of the same space together so they discuss some topic or give the opinion about something or provide useful information that can help another person or group and solve their problems or doubts, etc.Apr. 30, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpperDeck Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 KK...you ( I'm sure unintentionally) demean so-called "working stiffs". I am confident that most habitues of THIS forum remain informed as to world events on a daily basis regardless of their employment status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 1 hour ago, UpperDeck said: KK...you ( I'm sure unintentionally) demean so-called "working stiffs". I am confident that most habitues of THIS forum remain informed as to world events on a daily basis regardless of their employment status. The term "working stiffs" is hardly demeaning, in common usage . it means someone who is so busy earning a living that they have little or no time for keeping up with social or news media. In this day and age, due to the pandemic it means someone who is working very hard to make ends meet due to decreased hours and less pay. Not someone who is on a pension (as I am) or who perhaps can enjoy out of Canada travel with out being concerned by the cost (not me but). It is those working stiffs who are responsible for keeping the wheels of commerce going during this time and will also will be key in bringing things back to "normal". working stiff A hardworking employee. First heard in the 1930s, this phrase describes your average guy or gal who works at a not-very-interesting- or-stimulating job and for wages that mean a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. “Stiff ” might have come from muscle fatigues at the end of the day or week, but it's just as likely to be the slang word for “corpse,” which would reflect the idea of a working stiff in a dead-end job. more than us in getting things back to "Normal". Quote working stiff Someone who works very hard day in, day out, especially in a menial, lower-paying, or non-managerial position. None of this corporate politics stuff matters much to a working stiff like me, so long as I keep getting a pay check at the end of the week. My dad might have just been a working stiff, but he made damn sure that his kids got the opportunities and advantages he never had growing up. working stiff A hardworking employee. First heard in the 1930s, this phrase describes your average guy or gal who works at a not-very-interesting- or-stimulating job and for wages that mean a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. “Stiff ” might have come from muscle fatigues at the end of the day or week, but it's just as likely to be the slang word for “corpse,” which would reflect the idea of a working stiff in a dead-end job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpperDeck Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 11 hours ago, Kargokings said: The term "working stiffs" is hardly demeaning, in common usage . it means someone who is so busy earning a living that they have little or no time for keeping up with social or news media. In this day and age, due to the pandemic it means someone who is working very hard to make ends meet due to decreased hours and less pay. Not someone who is on a pension (as I am) or who perhaps can enjoy out of Canada travel with out being concerned by the cost (not me but). It is those working stiffs who are responsible for keeping the wheels of commerce going during this time and will also will be key in bringing things back to "normal". working stiff A hardworking employee. First heard in the 1930s, this phrase describes your average guy or gal who works at a not-very-interesting- or-stimulating job and for wages that mean a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. “Stiff ” might have come from muscle fatigues at the end of the day or week, but it's just as likely to be the slang word for “corpse,” which would reflect the idea of a working stiff in a dead-end job. more than us in getting things back to "Normal". Phew!! This might be too tough for me to handle!! But....maybe the exchange will be informative? I know what "working stiff" means; I USED the term! My intent was simply ( and lightheartedly) to suggest to you that the users of this forum, even though still working, probably kept abreast (read) the news and stories of interest regularly and that by suggesting otherwise, you "demeaned" them; ie...did them an injustice. And...for clarification...I WAS a "working stiff" and remain a member of that "working" class. No rest for the wicked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 The EU Relaxes Air Travel Guidelines For Vaccinated Passengers byLuke Bodell June 17, 2021 3 minute read The EU Relaxes Air Travel Guidelines For Vaccinated Passengers - Simple Flying The EU has released a new version of the Aviation Health Safety Protocol, which advises relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated and recovered passengers. The new guidelines recommend exemption from testing and quarantine for those fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.New protocols recommend exemption from quarantine and testing for fully vaccinated and recovered passengers. Relaxed restrictions for vaccinated travelers The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have released a new Aviation Health Safety Protocol providing updated guidelines for air travel. One notable change is the updated guidelines for vaccinated or recovered passengers. The updated protocol advises that fully vaccinated or recovered passengers should not require testing or quarantine, other than those coming from high risk or Variant of Concern (VOC) areas. #EASA and #ECDC update Aviation Health Safety Protocol to take account of #covid19 vaccination roll-out, EU Digital Certificates and circulation of variants of concern, recommendations for safe travel this summer.https://t.co/ZTf7VHzaBZ…#WeAreAviation #Strongertogether pic.twitter.com/Kvdi9igwBU — EASA (@EASA) June 17, 2021 In a statement, the EASA said, “People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or who recovered from the disease in the last 180 days should not be subject to testing or quarantine, unless they are coming from an area of very high risk or where a Variant of Concern is circulating.” Restrictions will remain for passengers coming from high-risk or variant of concern Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director, said, “The rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programmes has thankfully allowed for the relaxation of some measures for fully vaccinated travelers. But if measures are relaxed too soon also for non-vaccinated people, then we may see a rapid rise in cases again. In order to effectively control community transmission of the virus, we need to continue the roll-out of vaccinations and exercise caution until a sufficient proportion of the European population has received their vaccine.” This does not mean the end of all testing for those fully vaccinated or recovered. Travelers from high-risk areas or places with a VOC in circulation may still require a negative test result. This could include a Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) taken 48 hours before arrival or a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Aiding recovery for the air industry In the new guidelines, the EASA and ECDC lay out a framework to ensure “the checking of proof of vaccination or recovery should not create bottlenecks and queues in airport processes.” The protocol recommends that vaccination information should be checked once each journey, preferably prior to arrival at the departure airport. Authorities want to avoid bottlenecks and queues at airports. The recommendations laid out in the new protocol are non-binding for EU member states, meaning they are under no obligation to adopt them. Guidelines are subject to change at any time as our understanding of the virus and safety protocols improve. The updated Aviation Health Safety Protocol explains, “Current evidence on the protection of prior natural immunity against the known variants of concern (VOCs) and the duration of post-vaccination immunity is relatively limited and this advice may therefore change when further evidence becomes available.” Safety measures should remain robust While there is clear optimism about vaccination efficacy, the EASA and ECDC stress that non-pharmaceutical safety protocols must remain in place, such as “the wearing of medical face masks, hygiene measures and physical distancing.” These measures are recommended on all flights within and outside the EU. The EASA and ECDC emphasize that conventional safety protocols should remain in place. Photo: airBaltic The protocol also advises airlines and airports to get their staff vaccinated by “informing their staff members of the advantages of vaccination and encouraging them as much as possible to take up SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.” However, the guidelines emphasize that vaccination is not 100% effective and most of the globe is not vaccinated, so conventional safety measures like distancing and hygiene must be observed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 WASHINGTON -- U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said on Sunday. The 30-day extension came after Canada announced its own extension on Friday of the requirements that were set to expire on Monday and have been in place since March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. government held working-group meetings with Canada and Mexico last week. Homeland Security said in a statement it noted "positive developments in recent weeks and is participating with other U.S. agencies in the White House’s expert working groups with Canada and Mexico to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 From August United Crew Will Need Full Vaccinations To Operate High Risk Legs From August United Crew Will Need Full Vaccinations To Operate High Risk Legs - Simple Flying Currently, the destinations United considers dangerous are; India, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina. However, this list may soon also include China and Taiwan. Which countries make the list and which don’t will be based on government advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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