Sweeping new international journey limitations announced Friday in Canada could have an impact on at least one route to Phoenix as the United States’ northern neighbor works to prevent the spread of new variants of the novel coronavirus arriving from abroad.
All through an address to his country on Jan. 29, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated Air Canada, West Jet, Sunwing and Air Transat airways would voluntarily suspend flights to “sun locations” in Mexico and the Caribbean as a result of April 30.
In addition, worldwide tourists are needed to arrive in Canada by just 4 cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.
“With the problems we currently facial area with COVID-19 both below at house and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be traveling,” Trudeau said.
What Canada’s vacation restrictions imply for Phoenix
The suspension of the 4 airlines’ flights does not affect Phoenix directly, but the prerequisite to arrive at specific Canadian airports stands to affect one Canada-to-metro Phoenix route.
Swoop airline offers a preferred flight between Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and Edmonton, Alberta, which is not just one of the airports authorized for global arrivals.
Phoenix Mesa-Gateway Airport spokesperson Ryan Smith said the airport is ready to listen to from Swoop about how the new prerequisites would affect that route.
When achieved by e mail, a spokeswoman for Swoop advised The Arizona Republic that the airline is seeking clarity from the Canadian government on how the new steps would affect its flight to Mesa.
Journey Restrictions: COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements
Canada reports COVID-19 circumstances on flights to PHX
Canada has reported quite a few cases of COVID-19 in passengers touring concerning Canada and the United States, such as on flights to Phoenix.
Canadian airlines are essential to post facts about flights on which passengers may have been exposed to COVID-19 by way of other passengers. The authorities internet site, which lists conditions verified in the past two months, reveals that airways have documented a few situations of COVID-19 confirmed in passengers on flights involving Canada and Phoenix Sky Harbor Intercontinental Airport.
Those people are:
- Jan. 21: Air Canada Flight1057 from Phoenix to Calgary in rows 1 to 4.
- Jan. 18: American Airways Flight 220 from Phoenix to Calgary in rows 17 to 23.
- Jan. 14: WestJet Flight 1403 from Phoenix to Calgary in rows 1 to 6 and 11 to 17.
Swoop has noted no confirmed cases on its flights concerning Canada and Mesa Gateway in the latest weeks. At the commencing of the pandemic, the airline reported two flights amongst Winnipeg and Mesa with verified circumstances. All those occurred on March 8 and March 12, 2020.
Other new Canadian travel constraints
Alongside with obtaining a destructive COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flights, travellers will receive a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Canada and be required to quarantine at their own expenditure in a government-approved lodge even though awaiting benefits.
Trudeau estimated the expense of that quarantine would be more than $2,000 Canadian (about $1,560 U.S.).
Those people who acquire a detrimental exam final result will be authorized to total the remainder of the mandatory 14-working day quarantine period at residence beneath “elevated surveillance and enforcement.”
Those people who are unsuccessful to quarantine could facial area penalties including six months in prison and/or up-to $750,000 Canadian in fines.
Those people who take a look at constructive will be demanded to quarantine at a specified government facility. It was unclear from the announcement how very long that quarantine would past and who would bear the price of it.
Canada is also performing to set up added COVID-19 testing sites for entry at its land border.
You can hook up with Arizona Republic Shopper Travel Reporter Melissa Yeager through email at [email protected]. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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