Date of publication: June 10, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 4 minutes reading • 210 comments A traveler
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OTTAWA – As airport delays escalated and pressure from their own classes to lift travel restrictions due to COVID-19 increased, the Trudeau Liberals retreated slightly on Friday, suspending random tests at airports.
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A few details were available, but in a statement the government said it would suspend random tests at airports from Saturday and continue until the end of the month. A press release stated that from July 1, the tests, including unvaccinated travelers, will take place off-site. A source in the background, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak in public, said details of off-site tests were being processed, but current plans did not require passengers to simply line up elsewhere but give them time to complete the test. . Airports, especially Pearson International in Toronto, have been flooded in recent weeks as Canadians return to their overseas vacation after a long pandemic. However, the increase in passengers has overwhelmed customs and security controls, leading to long delays, missed or canceled flights and growing frustration.
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Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has faced a barrage of criticism for his government’s perceived inaction, with politicians, industrial groups and airlines urging the government to lift the restrictions. Earlier this week, Alghabra said he understood the pressure on airports and the government was hiring more security inspectors and other staff to help. He said that they are constantly reviewing the existing orders, but he has not made any commitment on when they may resign. “I can tell you that these examinations and re-examinations are done on a daily basis and when we feel it is the right time to take and adjust our measures, we will do it.”
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Current orders expire at the end of the month, but the government can renew them. Customs now have to control COVID-19 vaccinations, which increases delays and results in longer processing times for passengers. Canada currently requires travelers to complete the Arrive Can App vaccine information 72 hours prior to arrival. The Canadian government requires travelers to be vaccinated with at least two doses of a recognized vaccine before reaching or ending a two-week quarantine. Canada’s public health chief, Dr. Theresa Tam, said on Friday that two doses were no longer enough to protect people. “Two doses are not enough for the vaccine against Omicron infection to be effective,” he said. “You need a booster, or rather a third dose, to boost this immunity.”
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The US has ended its requirement for the COVID-19 test for travelers who arrived on Friday but still have a vaccination order for non-US citizens. Many other countries have lifted all restrictions on COVID, and some still have strict rules. The National Post has confirmed reports in the Hill Times for the first time that a majority of Liberal MPs are pushing the government to end travel orders, especially on vaccines. “If it is not unanimous, it is very close,” said a member of the parliamentary group on the Liberal MPs’ opposition to the current travel vaccine mandate. All members of the parliamentary group received anonymity so that they could discuss the internal discussions. “We have two options, either we will abolish travel vaccine orders or we will adjust them to require a third or fourth dose of vaccine. “There is no one, or almost no one, in the parliamentary group who thinks it is a good idea to increase the number of installments as part of the mandate.”
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“I think the best word is disappointment,” said another lawmaker, who asked not to be named to discuss internal consultations. “People are getting a little worried.” The MP said that the Liberals do not receive better explanations within the parliamentary group than the government gives outside the parliamentary group as to why the mandates are still needed. They said voters were frustrated that they or their loved ones could not travel due to restrictions, and the Liberal MPs have been raising the issue for weeks. They said it was difficult to explain the need for rules with other countries and provinces abandoning orders. “How do we justify keeping people at home?” asked the anonymous deputies. Many lawmakers said there was widespread support for maintaining the rules for the masks and an acknowledgment that some rules may need to be reintroduced if the pandemic escalates in the autumn. But they expected more announcements before the end of the month to ease COVID-19 health restrictions and mandates.
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“There is concern about the management of a possible seventh wave in the autumn and the continuation of the responsible government that makes the right decisions for human health and wants to avoid excessive blockage of health systems,” said one MP. “But that only works when there are provinces.” The Conservatives listened to media reports about the Liberals’ dissatisfaction. They again asked the government about the COVID-19 travel restrictions in the House of Commons on Friday. “It is becoming increasingly clear that these mandates and restrictions have nothing to do with science or evidence-based decision-making. “It’s all about control,” said MP John Brassard. “It’s the control of the Prime Minister by Canadians from traveling to see their families, the control of companies recovering from COVID and the control of the Liberal MPs forcing them to be actors in his theater for COVID.” In response, Parliamentary Secretary of Health and Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden accused the Conservatives of “denying” the COVID-19 pandemic. “While we are in a much better position today than we were in the past, this pandemic is not over and we need to be prepared for any possible future scenarios,” he said. “Our government will continue to assess the evolving situation domestically and globally, monitor the data and adjust border measures as required.” Twitter: RyanTumilty Email: [email protected]
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