By Canadian Press

Traveller confusion reigns amid shifting advice and variants

Dec 11, 2021 | 11:19 AM

Confusion is now the defining state for many Canadians considering travel this month amid shifting advice, COVID-19 variants and layers of testing and quarantine rules.

Marty Firestone, who heads a travel insurance company, says the prospect of flying abroad is “incredibly confusing” as passengers remain uncertain about whether they will be tested at airports upon return or forced to quarantine — on top of the gamut of measures in other countries.

He says many clients are now rerouting trips or cancelling altogether out of exasperation.

John McKenna, CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada, says the federal government needs to communicate guidance more clearly as thousands of Canadians start to call off holiday trips.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said yesterday that those planning to travel in the next few weeks should expect delays and hassle at the airport, and be aware that the situation could suddenly worsen.

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Ottawa has not reimposed an advisory against all non-essential travel abroad that it quietly lifted on Oct. 21, but it warns Canadians to “exercise extra caution” as the Omicron variant spreads across more than 50 countries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2021.

The Canadian Press