File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Jill Sperling

Travel Restrictions

Kamloops residents delay travel plans with more restrictions coming

Feb 16, 2021 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Travel is not recommended in Canada and, with new travel restrictions going into effect next week, the federal government is making it more difficult to plan a trip.

In addition to requiring a COVID-19 test prior to boarding a flight to Canada, those entering the country by air will be required to take another test and quarantine in a hotel at their own expense until those results are available.

“The new restrictions that are coming in in the next week, with the (hotel) quarantine and the two extra tests actually on top and the cancellation of all the flights until the end of April to Mexico and the Caribbean, basically it stopped the travel,” said Sonja Thomas, branch manager at Vision Travel Solutions in Kamloops.

Thomas says some people who chose to travel before the new restrictions were announced have decided to extend their vacations.

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“I do have some people who are in destination, who are in Mexico or are in Punta Cana, I’ve got some people in the (Dominican Republic) and also in Costa Rica who have decided to just stay put,” she said. “They feel very safe where they are, they think the restrictions there are good, so they’re just going to stay there, see what happens past the end of April.”

The Kamloops Airport has suffered from the loss of international visitors. Managing Director Ed Ratuski says people are mostly travelling for essential reasons. Pacific Coastal Airline arrived in Kamloops one week ago to help travellers get to Vancouver.

“People have to keep in mind, it’s essential travel only,” Ratuski said. “They’re about 50 per cent, which we’re hearing is pretty good for a startup for a new service.”

Passenger numbers are down about 86 per cent for this time of year and the airport is hoping for some government assistance.

“We’re also looking forward to receiving more information on support that was announced in the fall economic statement to support the regional airline industry and aviation industry,” Ratuski said. “We haven’t seen any requirements yet, but we’re keeping a close eye on that to see if it can help support recovery of the industry.”

This would normally be a busy time for travel agencies booking trips, but with the hassle of added restrictions, people are now looking to book their getaways at the end of 2021 or in 2022.

“I think people have just been so tired and this has really made them think about what’s important and what they want to do,” Thomas said. “They’re booking cruises still, they’re back-booking cruises for 2022, but longer ones, like a round-the-world cruise with one of the cruise lines sold out in just a day.”

Even if travel restrictions are loosened late this year, the travel industry is expected to take some time to fully recover.