CALGARY – The Canadian journey trade reacts with disappointment after hopes for a last-minute extension of latest COVID-19 testing necessities for worldwide vacationers have been dashed on Wednesday.
Ottawa introduced final week that folks touring to Canada on or after Thursday, January 7, must present proof of a unfavorable COVID-19 check end result to board their flight.
The trade has requested a postponement of implementation till Jan. 18, however Transport Minister Marc Garneau mentioned the restrictions can be utilized from midnight Wednesday to coincide with the beginning of the 12 months. Canada & # 39; s ban on flights from UK expired.
On December 20, Canada halted most air journey from the UK, the place a mutated pressure of COVID-19 had been found.
"Our issues over the previous few days haven’t modified – we didn't suppose we had sufficient time to efficiently implement this system," mentioned Mike McNaney, CEO of the Nationwide Airways Council of Canada. Canada.
"The federal government has clearly concluded in any other case, so we proceed to do all the things doable to attempt to implement the coverage as successfully as doable."
He mentioned airways worry passengers might not have the ability to get checks or pay attention to their obligations and that frontline employees shall be required to stop them from boarding their return flights to the Canada.
Passengers are required to have a deep nasal swab check lower than 72 hours earlier than takeoff however Garneau mentioned on Wednesday that this shall be prolonged to 96 hours within the case of round 20 international locations, largely within the Caribbean.
This level reveals that the Canadian authorities is conscious of issues with the supply of checks world wide, a degree the trade has highlighted in conferences over the previous week, mentioned Markus Ruediger, spokesperson for the corporate. 39; Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation.
"" That is the a part of the implementation that’s difficult and I believe that’s the reason the trade has requested if we might have extra time, "he mentioned.
The airline trade has requested Ottawa for the 11-day deadline in implementing the brand new guidelines in a letter dated Monday and signed by the 2 commerce associations with Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Sunwing.
The letter warned that Canadians risked being denied boarding and being "stranded" in international international locations as a result of laws.
Journey brokers say the brand new necessities have precipitated "chaos" of their trade.
"The extraordinarily tight deadline for ensuring airways have processes in place and for journey brokers to make sure that their clients already in transit are in a position to meet the brand new necessities is unrealistic," Wendy Paradis, president of the Canadian Affiliation of Journey Businesses, mentioned in assertion.
"That is wreaking havoc for Canadians overseas and for his or her journey brokers making an attempt to assist … Journey brokers get lots of cancellations due to this coverage.
Ottawa journey agent Nancy Wilson, a founding member of the Canadian Affiliation of Impartial Journey Consultants, says Garneau & # 39; s replace failed to deal with the highest issues of the Impartial Journey Consultants. Business concerning recommendation to clients.
"We consider that we can’t go forward with any sort of journey (recommendation) at this level although airways and tour operators are nonetheless making an attempt to promote their merchandise," she mentioned.
"How can we, each from an ethical duty viewpoint and a legal responsibility issue, go ahead in advising people who find themselves touring?"
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed on January 6, 2021.