With the COVID-19 pandemic, most Canadians have had to cancel their summer vacation. Luckily, experts believe tourists could take a road trip to their own backyard.
Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Dr.Stan Houston has said that this could be the ideal time to go canoeing and camping with the family. According to Houston, the road trip risk will largely depend on the destination and community transmission.
He said that those traveling from big cities, like Montreal to smaller towns with fewer cases, should be mindful and act accordingly, as they are likely carrying the virus. On the other hand, it could be a greater risk for those traveling from a smaller community to a large city.
Several provinces have put in place travel restrictions for residents of other regions. However, others like Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have not implemented provincial travel bans but recommend against non-essential travel.
The province of Quebec has started to loosen some travel restrictions, and a large part of the areas have begun to open up again. This is, however, an exception for some areas like the Cree territory of James which is still restricted.
Travel between the western provinces like Manitoba and west of Terrace Bay in Ontario does not require a self-isolation period of two weeks as it did before.
Nevertheless, other provinces are putting stricter measures in place. Provinces such as Nova Scotia are putting in place a 14-day mandatory quarantine for those traveling from other parts of Canada, while Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick have put in place more stringent measures.