Canadians travel plans up in the air after Ottawa advises to avoid international travel

For Canadians like Phillip Paul, a newly-introduced federal travel advisory means considering cancelling a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“I would almost call it essential because I’m going to visit my youngest sister who I’m so sorry to say has terminal, stage four cancer. So it’s a really big deal, it’s actually incredibly important for us,” says Paul.

He planned to celebrate his 29-year-old sister’s birthday with her in Waikiki, Hawaii this January.

“The whole point of the trip was for us to get as much family time as we can. So it’s been it’s really challenging,” he says.

On Wednesday, the federal government announced an advisory against international travel. Although no new restrictions were announced, the government is advising against all non-essential travel.

Read More: Canada recommends against non-essential international travel

For people like Paul, the announcement brings more questions than answers — and he’s unsure if he should cancel his plans, or keep them.

“It would be more useful to tell us what happens if we do travel for non-essential reasons. Or what happens if you cancel a trip because of the travel ban. There’s just so much uncertainty. The government has only come out with this advice and it’s just so vague, what does it actually mean?”

Ross from Vancouver hasn’t seen his parents, who live in the U.S., in two years. He’s still planning on making a long-awaited visit over the holidays.

“I’m fully vaccinated, my family member going with me is fully vaccinated, the family we’re visiting is fully vaccinated so I don’t know why we’re imposing anything on people who are fully vaccinated. I’m fully vaccinated and that’s why I’m going,” he says.

He does, however, worry that the rules might change while he is abroad.

“My worst fear is that in the next couple of weeks they will say everyone coming back to Canada must self-quarantine for two weeks.”

Canadians who have a trip planned in the next month are divided on if they should listen to the fed's recommendations, or go on their trip.https://t.co/b6VRz1CGB4

— Robyn Crawford (@robyncrawford_) December 16, 2021

Unlike Ross, Sandy Rice says she has cancelled a trip within Canada set for next year, and has no plans on travelling until COVID is no longer a concern.

“I had booked everything and yesterday after the news I went and cancelled all my hotels and contacted all my friends and said, this is not going to work,” Rice explains.

Despite no advisories against domestic travel, Rice says the variant is too worrisome to consider going anywhere.

“My destination was Newfoundland, to have a wonderful vacation (but) I’m not going to enjoy myself when I’m constantly worrying about COVID and the new variant… I’m not getting on any plane to go anywhere.”

David Elmy, the president of The Travel Group says it’s important to remember the feds aren’t restricting travel, they are making a recommendation.

“Travel advisories are just that, they’re designed to tell people they have to consider these things carefully,” he says.

Elmy emphasizes for people planning on travelling, it’s important to buy good travel insurance and not to worry about their return trip.

“I cannot blame anyone for having a certain amount of anxiety that new restrictions will materialize while they’re away…but Canada is never going to stop Canadians from returning home. You’re going to get home, it’s just there’s always that possibility that you might have to quarantine if the rules become stricter,” Elmy explains.

In a statement issued by Premier John Horgan, he says following the travel advisory is critical as the Omicron variant spreads globally.

“While this advice undoubtedly disrupts many holiday plans, a fast-changing and unpredictable situation demands we act with caution and prudence. Avoid non-essential travel and follow public health guidelines.”

Currently, vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine upon entry to Canada as long as they have a negative COVID-19 test.