Canada finally opened the border to international travelers! However, life is much different now post COVID-19. What can you expect if you travel to Canada?
Getting to Canada
How exciting to be able to go home and see family again after the COVID lockdown! I usually go at least once a year to visit, but with the lockdown, that became impossible. With the border open, finding a flight that wasn’t unreasonably expensive was a challenge. A bit of patience finally found me a flight to book. Two days later, the flight was automatically rescheduled to a different day by the airline (Air Canada). Then I was scrambling to get my work schedule adjusted to accommodate the change.
COVID Testing
Prior to travel, you need a negative PCR COVID test within 72 hours of your flight, along with proof of an approved vaccination. The local drug stores offer testing in Clearwater, but you have to go through the pharmacy drive-through. I’m not clear what people who don’t drive are supposed to do to achieve that, but I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a car from a friend to go get my test.
Test results are “usually” available within 72 hours. My test took almost 48 hours to deliver to the testing lab, so I was extremely stressed out worrying that I wouldn’t have the results on time! I found a backup option at a local clinic that promised test results in 30 minutes. Just as I was getting ready to leave for the clinic, my test results from Walgreens finally came in!
Online Documentation for Travel to Canada
Prior to travel, you must create an account with Arrive CAN and upload all your documentation (vaccine card and COVID test results.) They also ask for your destination and plans for quarantine if necessary. I listed my mom’s address where I was staying. They also ask if there was anyone from a vulnerable population staying there. Since my mom is over 65 years old, I had to say yes. That didn’t seem to be a big issue. In addition, I had to upload a lot of information to Air Canada’s website prior to leaving. That one gave me more frustration as the website was malfunctioning!
Arriving in Canada
Everything is electronic at the airport now, including your customs and immigration forms. The kiosks are a bit of a pain to use, but there are several staff members around who can assist if you are struggling. If you are a savvy traveler, you can download the app prior to arrival and have it all completed before arriving in the customs hall. I wasn’t that smart!
Adventuring in Canada
Fall is a beautiful time to travel to Canada, with the colorful leaves and cool weather. We took the opportunity to go hiking the Rainey Falls gorge in Ferris Park. The views were amazing, as usual, and the weather that day was awesome.
The locks closed for the season while I was there, so we only saw a few boats going up the canal. I feel bad for the Great Loopers who were unable to visit this summer. The Trent Severn Waterway is an amazing trip for those with shallow draft boats (I think the canals are dredged to five feet) and no mast. Growing up in Ontario, I am familiar with many of the amazing little towns on the waterway. My favorites include Bobcaygeon, Big Chute, Orillia, and of course my hometown of Peterborough with the world’s largest hydraulic lift locks.
Shopping in Canada
Mom and I went to the mall to do some Christmas shopping so I didn’t have to depend on the postal service for delivery, especially as we are planning to venture to the Bahamas this winter. Masks are required everywhere indoors. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance of every store in the mall. If you want to stop in the food court, you have to show your identification and COVID vaccine card.
Restaurants
Every restaurant also requires proof of vaccination and a valid ID to eat at a table. There are sign-in sheets on every table where you have to write your arrival time, leave time, and contact information for tracking purposes. Apparently, the same processes are in place for other venues, such as movie theaters and gyms. Canadians have now been issued vaccination cards, which are required at many venues. We even had to show our proof of vaccination to watch my niece at hockey practice!
Returning to the United States
Another COVID test is required within 3 days of travel back to the United States. Shopper’s Drug Mart offers the test with a 15-minute turnaround since a rapid test was all that was required. Much easier to obtain and less stressful waiting for the results!
Overall, I had a wonderful visit with my family. Despite all the hoops you have to jump through, the trip is definitely worth the effort. I even enjoyed the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner with my family, which is a rare treat. Most holidays it is just Nick and I celebrating together on the boat. Many thanks to my mom and sister for a fantastic turkey dinner!!
