I know there arent any great signs but, and it is possible I am being too optimistic, there are some signs. They started issuing PPRs after 7 months in November, they have also started extending expired Coprs. The COPRs they are issuing have expiry of anywhere from Feb to May 2021. If they dont add some exemptions for copr holders in Jan or Feb, again thousands of COPR holders will have their copr expired. Creates a lot of pressure on the system and really complicates backlog. With vaccinations starting (slowly i know) from Jan to March, they could easily allow copr holders by asking for a negative covid test before. Or even do it on arrival.
I know there arent any official signs, but the fact that they are issuing coprs of Feb, March and a ton for April, makes me feel that while travel restrictions might not be lifted completely, they could still add exemptions for copr holders. Like they have done for students and immediate family members. They could even be bucketed to prevent a ton of people from arriving together, so maybe at first only people with COPR expiry before March will be allowed or something like that.