Canada Dropping COVID testing requirement April 1st

[Fouremco]

20 hours ago, earlydiner said:

No test required of Canadians traveling into USA.  

If driving. If flying, testing within one day is required per CDC. If cruising from Canada to US, pre-boarding testing is also required.

[Fouremco]

15 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

And just like that, Covid is gone…thank goodness for upcoming elections. 

An article worth reading: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/16/once-again-america-is-in-denial-about-signs-of-a-fresh-covid-wave

[Majorcat]

Don't get excited yet!!  COVID is not gone.................. its just hiding.  The new variant that is attacking Europe and now the UK is scary.

 

We might have a summer travel window.

 

The 2nd Booster is close to approval.  I will get mine as soon as its available.

 

Make sure you have all of your shots................... it could be an ugly winter.

 

Majorcat in Vancouver, Washington.  The older Vancouver.

[hvbaskey]

53 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

An article worth reading: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/16/once-again-america-is-in-denial-about-signs-of-a-fresh-covid-wave

Yup, recent news is discouraging.   North America is relaxing (finally) and now this. 😳

[hvbaskey]

41 minutes ago, Majorcat said:

Don't get excited yet!!  COVID is not gone.................. its just hiding.  The new variant that is attacking Europe and now the UK is scary.

 

We might have a summer travel window.

 

The 2nd Booster is close to approval.  I will get mine as soon as its available.

 

Make sure you have all of your shots................... it could be an ugly winter.

 

Majorcat in Vancouver, Washington.  The older Vancouver.

Antarctica 2022 - POOF!  cancelled by “X”
Antarctica 2023 - sighhhhhhhh, not looking so great if this continues ...

[Schmoe38]

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

An article worth reading: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/16/once-again-america-is-in-denial-about-signs-of-a-fresh-covid-wave

I heard on the news conference this morning that cruise passengers who touch a Canadian port in their itinerary would not need to test before entering Canada as long as they were fully vaccinated and had provided a negative test 1 day before boarding the cruise ship.

 

We have a Pacific Coastal leaving San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver with Victoria as a visiting port the day before disembarkation. As of now, we can get an antigen test 2 days prior to our cruise and fly to San Diego 1 day before the cruise.

 

As I understand this new policy, we would need to now take our antigen test 1 day before the cruise which would mean we test early in the day of flight or once we have reached  San Diego, if we want to avoid taking 2 antigen tests.
 

This announcement sounds more like a “Good News…Not so Good News” policy, for us anyway!

 

Randy

[Fouremco]

5 minutes ago, Schmoe38 said:

I heard on the news conference this morning that cruise passengers who touch a Canadian port in their itinerary would not need to test before entering Canada as long as they were fully vaccinated and had provided a negative test 1 day before boarding the cruise ship.

 

We have a Pacific Coastal leaving San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver with Victoria as a visiting port the day before disembarkation. As of now, we can get an antigen test 2 days prior to our cruise and fly to San Diego 1 day before the cruise.

 

As I understand this new policy, we would need to now take our antigen test 1 day before the cruise which would mean we test early in the day of flight or once we have reached  San Diego, if we want to avoid taking 2 antigen tests.
 

This announcement sounds more like a “Good News…Not so Good News” policy, for us anyway!

 

Randy

We will need to wait until the published regs are available to see exactly how they are going to apply them, but my understanding right now is that the 1 day rule applies only to cruises sailing from Canada, not those sailing from a foreign port and subsequently arriving at a port in Canada.

[Homosassa]

2 hours ago, RichYak said:

It's been officially announced.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/03/government-of-canada-will-remove-pre-entry-test-requirement-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers-on-april-1.html

Yay! I saw it on the Arrive Canada Website.

 

I wish Celebrity would also drop the requirement....

 

[bebe08]

1 hour ago, Homosassa said:

Yay! I saw it on the Arrive Canada Website.

 

I wish Celebrity would also drop the requirement....

 

 

[bebe08]

1 minute ago, bebe08 said:

 

Note that a negative test is still a requirement to board a cruise ship from a Canadian port  What has changed is a test is no longer required to disembark. Here are the updated rules  https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

 

Also random testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers will be happening at the airport.

Just want to be sure no one thinks there will be no testing requirements at all.

 

 

[5waldos]

4 minutes ago, bebe08 said:

Note that a negative test is still a requirement to board a cruise ship from a Canadian port  What has changed is a test is no longer required to disembark. Here are the updated rules  https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

 

Also random testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers will be happening at the airport.

Just want to be sure no one thinks there will be no testing requirements at all.

 

 

Odd that they would require a test when leaving but not when coming. Isn't that backward? 

[d9704011]

18 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

Odd that they would require a test when leaving but not when coming. Isn't that backward? 

I believe it has to do with putting two or three thousand people on a ship and sending them off to sea where, if there is a significant problem, access to care may be much more problematic than having the same people roaming around town capable of going to a hospital on their own if need be.

[5waldos]

8 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

I believe it has to do with putting two or three thousand people on a ship and sending them off to sea where, if there is a significant problem, access to care may be much more problematic than having the same people roaming around town capable of going to a hospital on their own if need be.

That certainly is a good reason to do it- I guess I was thinking in terms of protecting Canada and its citizenry. I am actually glad that testing to board will be a requirement, at least for the time being. 

[gerelmx]

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

We will need to wait until the published regs are available to see exactly how they are going to apply them, but my understanding right now is that the 1 day rule applies only to cruises sailing from Canada, not those sailing from a foreign port and subsequently arriving at a port in Canada.

 

Where is this info?

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

says:

Passenger obligations

• Pre-boarding a cruise ship
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure.
  • Before their cruise departs, a traveller will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
  • Passengers seeking a medical contraindication or religious belief exemption will need to contact their cruise line to see if these are permitted. These exemptions are very limited.

Edited March 17, 2022 by gerelmx

[Fouremco]

18 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

 

Where is this info?

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

says:

Passenger obligations

• Pre-boarding a cruise ship
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure.
  • Before their cruise departs, a traveller will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
  • Passengers seeking a medical contraindication or religious belief exemption will need to contact their cruise line to see if these are permitted. These exemptions are very limited.

As I said, we will need to wait for the official regulations to be published to determine whether or not the GOC intends to implement this requirement for cruises sailing from ports around the globe. For example, for HAL's 28-day Baltic Jewels & Viking Passage which embarks in Copenhagen, I doubt that the GOC is going to insist on testing within 1 day instead of 2 days ahead of boarding, just because it stops in St. John's and Halifax on its way to Boston. The same applies for the 39-day New Zealand & South Pacific Crossing Collector from Auckland to Vancouver.

[bigbenboys]

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/03/government-of-canada-will-remove-pre-entry-test-requirement-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers-on-april-1.html

News release

March 17, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

Today, the Government of Canada announced that effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test.

[Fly and Sail]

I assume this pretty much cements the Alaska season for this year. Wonder if I should switch my Seattle sailing on Solstice (did that itinerary 3x already) back to YVR.

[DirtyDawg]

5 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

I assume this pretty much cements the Alaska season for this year. Wonder if I should switch my Seattle sailing on Solstice (did that itinerary 3x already) back to YVR.

I'd say it's more like set in Jell-O.

 

This is what the Health Minister said; "Today's announcement is encouraging, but let us remember that all measures are subject to review. We will continue to adjust them as the epidemiological situation evolves."

 

No testing... testing... no testing... ???

 

As I said  - Jell-O... or a soft one of these 🥨

 

[Woody14]

50 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

I'd say it's more like set in Jell-O.

 

This is what the Health Minister said; "Today's announcement is encouraging, but let us remember that all measures are subject to review. We will continue to adjust them as the epidemiological situation evolves."

 

No testing... testing... no testing... ???

 

As I said  - Jell-O... or a soft one of these 🥨

 

Set in Jell-O is the way it is worldwide not just Canada.   it seems everyday something changes somewhere, the good news right now is it is getting easier (less restrictive) with the announcements and not tougher.   But as we all know based on the last 2 years that can change.

[bigbenboys]

49 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

I assume this pretty much cements the Alaska season for this year. Wonder if I should switch my Seattle sailing on Solstice (did that itinerary 3x already) back to YVR.

We cruised out of Seattle on Millie last Oct. I personally like Hubbard Glacier over 

Endicott Arm. Sailings from Seward or Vancouver BC go to Hubbard Glacier. Also sailings out of Seattle you normally dont cruise the inside passage of Vancouver Island or stop at Icy Strait Point for ziplining.

[hvbaskey]

Effective April 1, 2022:  Coles Notes Version:

Testing to embark:  no change
Testing to disembark:  revised - no longer required

~~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE LINK (Transport Canada)

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

 

Passenger obligations

• Pre-boarding a cruise ship
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure.
  • Before their cruise departs, a traveller will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
  • Passengers seeking a medical contraindication or religious belief exemption will need to contact their cruise line to see if these are permitted. These exemptions are very limited.
• During a voyage
  • Passengers are required to self-monitor for symptoms and report them to cruise line officials, who will then take appropriate action (testing, isolation, and contact tracing).
• Disembarking a cruise ship in Canada
  • Effective April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers on cruise ships will no longer need to take a COVID-19 molecular test before disembarking in Canada. All on board, including crew and passengers, must continue to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival in Canada as per the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order.

[Fly and Sail]

9 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

We cruised out of Seattle on Millie last Oct. I personally like Hubbard Glacier over 

Endicott Arm. Sailings from Seward or Vancouver BC go to Hubbard Glacier. Also sailings out of Seattle you normally dont cruise the inside passage of Vancouver Island or stop at Icy Strait Point for ziplining.

 

That was exactly what I thought as well but when I booked this I was concerned over the same bamboozle that happened last year and considered Seattle to be the safer option. It's a Casino booking so I can move it any way I want. Probably get yet another free cruise on that sailing anyway so I can very well book Hubbard as a B2B (with a quick trip up to Vancouver after disembarkation, or I'd just leave the Solstice in Victoria once docked there).

[Schmoe38]

4 hours ago, hvbaskey said:

 

Effective April 1, 2022:  Coles Notes Version:

Testing to embark:  no change
Testing to disembark:  revised - no longer required

~~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE LINK (Transport Canada)

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2022/03/preventing-or-limiting-the-spread-of-covid-19-on-cruise-ships.html

 

Passenger obligations

• Pre-boarding a cruise ship
  • Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure.
  • Before their cruise departs, a traveller will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
  • Passengers seeking a medical contraindication or religious belief exemption will need to contact their cruise line to see if these are permitted. These exemptions are very limited.
• During a voyage
  • Passengers are required to self-monitor for symptoms and report them to cruise line officials, who will then take appropriate action (testing, isolation, and contact tracing).
• Disembarking a cruise ship in Canada
  • Effective April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers on cruise ships will no longer need to take a COVID-19 molecular test before disembarking in Canada. All on board, including crew and passengers, must continue to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival in Canada as per the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order.

Hi Heather

 

How do you interpret this one, from a Canadian’s perspective.

 

1) Pacific Coast sailing leaving San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We touch Victoria the day before disembarkation.

 

2) Currently, Celebrity requires at least a rapid antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation.

 

3) The new Canadian policy says that entering Canada no longer requires testing as long as you have produced a negative antigen test 1 day before entering Canada.

 

4) This sailing is May 3/22. Do I now need to get my antigen test 1 day before we sail instead of the current 2 days?

 

Just want to get your perspective. I won’t hold you to anything.

 

Randy

[Ex-Airbalancer]

6 minutes ago, Schmoe38 said:

Hi Heather

 

How do you interpret this one, from a Canadian’s perspective.

 

1) Pacific Coast sailing leaving San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We touch Victoria the day before disembarkation.

 

2) Currently, Celebrity requires at least a rapid antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation.

 

3) The new Canadian policy says that entering Canada no longer requires testing as long as you have produced a negative antigen test 1 day before entering Canada.

 

4) This sailing is May 3/22. Do I now need to get my antigen test 1 day before we sail instead of the current 2 days?

 

Just want to get your perspective. I won’t hold you to anything.

 

Randy

If you are a Canadian and are fully vaccinated, you don’t need a test 

[hvbaskey]

12 minutes ago, Schmoe38 said:

Hi Heather

 

How do you interpret this one, from a Canadian’s perspective.

 

1) Pacific Coast sailing leaving San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We touch Victoria the day before disembarkation.

 

2) Currently, Celebrity requires at least a rapid antigen test 2 days prior to embarkation.

 

3) The new Canadian policy says that entering Canada no longer requires testing as long as you have produced a negative antigen test 1 day before entering Canada.

 

4) This sailing is May 3/22. Do I now need to get my antigen test 1 day before we sail instead of the current 2 days?

 

Just want to get your perspective. I won’t hold you to anything.

 

Randy

 

Thank you for not holding me to anything - LOL!  as we all try to navigate the different policies and guidances.

• Embarkation (IMHO) - go by US guidelines, US port of call.
• Disembarkation in Vancouver (IMHO) - I would call it as no testing required (as cruise is after April 1, 2022).  
• Victoria is the tricky part that I wonder how Victoria will be handled.  It's neither embarkation, nor disembarkation.  Will the regularly scheduled pre-embarkation testing in San Diego - cover all ports of call?  For this?  IF it were me, I would personally contact the Captain's Club Desk Phone #. 
  Note - as you are from Canada - so no testing should be required ... if logic prevails.

Edited March 18, 2022 by hvbaskey