Four months into a stay at home worldwide protocol; travel has come at a complete halt. This has us all wondering when our next trip might be, and how things might be different.
I know personally, I am going to be looking into domestic travel before international travel - and I think many of us are thinking along the same lines.
I have researched and put together a quick blog of direct information of how travel is going to change and what protocols are going to be put in place. This blog is directly from a Canadian perspective with a look into the main Canadian airlines, via rail and government recommendations.
All citations are linked directly to their quotes or paraphrases.
FLYING & INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Firstly, domestic flights are still happening at a much lower frequency through all of this in Canada. Looking towards winter, there is always a boom of domestic flights as families from all over the country come to gather together for the holidays. Although it is still too difficult to look that far ahead, here are the predictions according to our airlines.
WHAT
Airlines are changing the cleaning process and working to educate the public about safety measures. This means even as booking increase it is possible there will be less public seating available to ensure at least a small amount of social distancing. Flyers are asked to wear masks; and more thorough cleaning processes will slow down the arrival and departure rates.
According to Westjet's website there are currently 1-3 domestic flights for a limited number of locations and monthly they seem to be adding a few more. In July they are adding about 5 more (location to location) domestic flights to their schedule. The World Health Organization cites research showing there's very little risk of communicable diseases being shared in-flight through a plane's ventilation system. The plane's cabins use filters which trap virus particles, according to the WHO's website. So as scary as being trapped in a tube that shares air with other people, planes may be safer than we guess making a boom in travelling more possible when things lighten up.
WHEN
“Air Canada anticipates return of worldwide air travel by Christmas”. Although Christmas seems to feel so far away, it is only the same amount of time it has been since the virus broke out internationally. Thinking critically, the flights might be going by then, however I doubt at their full frequency due to new implementations that might still be crucial to preventing another outbreak. There also may be fewer flights available and more connections than travellers are used to.
WHO
It is predicted that there will be reduced motivation to get out once again as even as flights open back up I am sure most of us might be weary to hop back on again. Therefore, airlines will likely offer discounted fees. Thus leading to the prediction of who will fly first. Young bargain hunters, followed by 20-30 year olds who travel for work, then perhaps families, and lastly will be the older and/or elderly population.
WHERE
Then again, it is not only the flight that comes into play but also the destination. Each country varies by how safe, how clear, and how diligent they will be. According to Trudeau “We will have to remain vigilant for at least a year”. Besides, there will be no point in people travelling for business or pleasure if nothing is open.
TRAIN SERVICES & DOMESTIC TRAVEL
WHAT
As I mentioned in the intro, there is something that is making me want to go on a road trip. The upshot of this is that many Canadians are likely to spend more time at their cottages or travel more within their own country for the next few years. This should be a modest boon to Canada’s shell-shocked tourism industry. Already many public spaces such as beaches, cottages and permanent stays are opening up and people are eager to get out. Slow travel (staying in a destination for an extended period of time,
Micro-escapes, cabins, camping, weekends) is the new travel trend.
PUBLIC PLACES
There are already parks in Toronto implementing social distancing with painted circles in the grass and beaches in the Kawartha (Ontario) region placing poles on the beaches. Tools like these seem strange but also create much safer ways that we can get out and enjoy our summer.
A question for many Ontario residents who are used to our glorious Via rail and Go train stations getting us around Ontario with ease is how and when do we feel safe riding again. As with plane services the trains are taking similar action with less rides, more sanitation and physical distancing rules.
That hefty detailed quote basically covers the current update which would reasonably halt many traveler's domestic travel plans as the train seems mostly unreliable for the summer months at least. Of course everything is subject to change and it seems to happen every few weeks however I wouldn't put your money on things happening faster.
PROVINCE TO PROVINCE
Each province seems to be taking their own accords on what is acceptable and what timelines to follow according to travel and COVID. Since we know international travel is not acceptable at this time, many of us who now want to explore our own country are wondering the guidelines on this. In summary, it is easier to go west than east.
Currently (as of July 3rd) the Atlantic Provinces have eased on individual restrictions, but have become an "Atlantic Bubble". Meaning that residents of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. can now travel with ease between themselves - however if you are coming from out of this bubble there is a mandatory 2 week isolation period.
The same isolation period for outer provincial travel is also implemented in Manitoba.
Quebec recommends isolation but no it is no longer implemented by authorities.
Saskatchewan has few outlined restrictions however is weary of travellers,
Albertans are discouraged from non-essential travel however there are no longer checkpoints in place.
Ontario seemingly talks about limiting travel however there are no formal rules,
and British Columbia exercises extremely relaxed restrictions.
As things change every few weeks it is important to stay updated on the restrictions of any region you are looking to travel to and to follow appropriate social distancing requirements.
I don't think travel will be the same for a long time.
As of now, I am going to probably stay in the country until next spring 2021.
I am looking forward to some day trips in my region this summer and maybe a Canadian road trip in the near future. For now I am trying to soak in all that my local community may have to offer, listening to the COVID-19 government guidelines … and likely adding two weeks to anything that they open up.
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