Hospitality and travel group urges Canadian government to further ease COVID-19 restrictions

While the Canadian government liftedsome travel restrictions Monday, a hospitality and travel group says more needs to be done.

Members of Canadian Travel and Tourism a coalitionthat represents multiple airlines, hospitality businesses and travel services held a roundtable meeting at the Calgary International Airport on Feb. 28 to lay some demands on the table.

The group is calling on the federal government to go further in its repeal of COVID-19 travel restrictions by removing pre-departure testing entirely for fully vaccinated travellers before April 1.

"Collectively, we agree that fully vaccinated Canadians and inbound visitors should no longer be subject to out-of-pocket testing expenses and outdated measures when returning home," said Richard Bartrem, vice president of communications at WestJet, a member ofCanadian Travel and Tourism.

On Monday, the Canadian government removed the requirement for people entering the country to have a negative lab-based PCR test. Travellers will now only need to show the results of a negative rapid antigen test.

While members of the roundtable said the easing was a step in the right direction, they argued that Canada is still lagging behind other countries that have removed these testing policies entirely.

"When they do travel again, [international travellers] are going to look for the path of least resistance, and right now we are a path of resistance," said Bartrem.

Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious disease physician, saidtravel is no more risky than other public activities such as going to the gym or a restaurantthat may haveless stringent masking and vaccination requirements.

"The yield for this type of testing is very, very low for a significant amount of cost and anxiety to the traveller."

Leslie Keyter of South Travelsaid she hopes the federal government will not only remove testing requirements, but will also continue financial support programs for those in the travel industry beyond March.

Petru Panais Canadian but is currently living in New York City. He regularly travels home to visit family, and continued his visits as best he could throughout the pandemic.

Panasaidthat while he thinks the new changes to travel requirements are a "good step"he's aware that they are a reflection of less deadly recentCOVID-19 variants.

"Obviously [the testing] is something that will keep some tourists from coming to Canada, but I wouldn't necessarily say for me that it was that much of a burden."

Last week,Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclosencouraged Canadians to continue to "exercise prudence" as restrictions eased across the country.

"Our fight against the virus is not over," saidDuclos.

"There is still the riskthe real risk of becoming sick while abroad and having to extend your trip,should you test positive for COVID-19."

Monique Gibeau, who was on her way to the U.K. from Calgary on Monday, said she was excited that thecountrywas lifting somerestrictions for travellers.

"I think it's great, it's probably about time, even today as I was checking in, the flights are pretty well full," said Gibeau.

"It can't be soon enough to get us back on a higher quality of living."