What dropping the travel mandates means for Canadians moving forward
By the weekend, travelling into and across Canada will look a little different.
On Monday, the federal government announced it would be dropping COVID border restrictions for anyone entering Canada and masking on planes and trains will also come to end.
The changes are set to come into effect on Oct. 1.
Mary Jane Hiebert, the board chair of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and operates Oyster Travel Service in Steinbach, said the use of the ArriveCan app as well as showing proof of vaccination will also be gone.
"Most of the world, actually these days have lifted the restrictions. So I think Canada is just following suit with most of what every other country is doing. You know, following the science, it says we should be safe, we're vaccinated. I don't know that (the government) followed any peer pressure, but they certainly were listening," said Hiebert.
From travellers she has spoken with, Hiebert said they are happy that these mandates are being lifted.
"The ArriveCan app has been a bit of a nuisance, frankly. It's cumbersome, not everyone is tech-savvy. There were hiccups and glitches in the system that actually forced people to quarantine when they didn't need to. So it wasn't a perfect world…but I think people are sort of relieved and happy that we're coming to an end of these restrictions."
She said ever since COVID-19 started spreading, transportation companies have made travelling as safe as possible, noting she has felt safe when she needs to fly or take a train.
"I think early on, the airlines were actually very proactive in making sure the surrounding areas within the cabin were very safe," she said. "You're in confined quarters within your offices, within your homes, certainly, yes, you are meeting people that are not within your own homestead on planes and trains and automobiles. But, the airlines have certainly made the conditions very safe."
She said people still need to be smart when travelling and that if they have symptoms of any kind they should still wear a mask or not travel.
With the changes coming, Hiebert was asked if this will help reduce some of the delays and problems that are felt at the airport or border crossings.
She said while dropping the restrictions is good news, it might lead to more delays.
"ArriveCan, in some cases, was positive in that people who used it, well because you had to when you arrived back into Canada, that made things speed up a little bit at customs and immigration," said Hiebert.
She noted border agents are still needed, as well as pilots and flight attendants, so there could still be some problems while the system tries to get back up to 100 per cent capacity.
Hiebert said for those who haven't travelled for the last two-plus years, she is advising them to still bring a mask and make sure they arrive early so they have plenty of time to make it through security.
- With files from CTV News' Nicole Dube and Rachel Aiello
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.