At long last, there is good news for the Canadian tourism industry and travellers to Canada after the years of COVID restrictions! On Saturday, October 1st, the Federal Government is putting an end to all COVID-19 entry restrictions – no more negative pre-boarding test results, quarantine, masks on planes and trains, or the use of the ArriveCan app.
While it might be coming after the peak of tourism season for many parts of Canada, for the Christmas season, winter destinations, alpine resorts, and milder climates like Vancouver Island, these changes mean that Canada’s tourism sector can begin to recoup the incredible losses incurred during COVID. While the full benefits of the lifted restrictions will likely take years to see in full, there’s no doubt that this news is being met with relief by business and travellers alike.
During a Times Colonist interview, Paul Nursey, chief executive of Destination Greater Victoria noted that “Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Commonwealth countries, even ones that were very conservative during COVID have already done this, we are the last to drop these types of restrictions.”
It has certainly been frustrating for Canadian businesses who rely on tourism to watch as other countries open back up and allow travellers to visit with ease while travellers to Canada struggle with time-sensitive COVID results and navigating the notoriously difficult ArriveCan app.
But come Saturday, we can begin to welcome visitors from around the world again and breathe a sigh of relief.
