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Any new information on the latest announced travel restrictions please post here

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
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What about closing simply the airports like the mayor of Brampton said (he’s not the only one who has said that) ? Of course, with some practical exceptions (diplomatic flights, etc).
Sure many would have been happy with that from the start of the pandemic. Probably would have been helpful and the beginning of the pandemic or not allowing anyone on a travel visa just those landing as PRs, WP holders or international students. The variants is a very different disease so actions must be very different. Next will likely be proof of being vaccinated to come to Canada
 
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armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,282
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What about closing simply the airports like the mayor of Brampton said (he’s not the only one who has said that) ? Of course, with some practical exceptions (diplomatic flights, etc).
Trade-offs. If you want to make the case that Canada should entirely close all borders and travel and effectively make all forms of family reunification impossible (since no commercial flights available), by all means. If you think that, my gently worded objection would be that it sounds, ahem, unaware of how Canada actually functions - and that it might be more effective to think about domestic lockdowns, which are already not very popular and loosely enforced.

"Diplomatic flights" - I don't even know what that means, at least in the sense you're using it. Sure, there are government planes - mostly military (incl those used for VIP travel, almost all of which are small business jets). Ask actual diplomats how they travel - 98% or more is commercial flights. Government planes might be sufficient to cover, I don't know, 1% of Canadian freight and passenger travel? Even in a very severe 'national shutdown' would be tiny.
 

steaky

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Nov 11, 2008
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What about closing simply the airports like the mayor of Brampton said (he’s not the only one who has said that) ? Of course, with some practical exceptions (diplomatic flights, etc).
At least returning Canadians would not be happy with that. And then, they just use the land borders via the US.
 
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nareri

Newbie
Apr 23, 2021
5
5
Nice points. However, but I’m not sure, I think most of them are coming to Canada through Doha, I could be wrong, but I think you can get a pcr test at the airport of Doha, and obviously you don’t need a visa as a Canadian citizen. In other words, Doha (and perhaps other airports) might be the hub of this traffic.
Is it possible to book a PCR test at Doha?

I'd my tickets booked for 29 Apr after a 5 month stay and needless to say now a waste.
Regarding status in Canada, I'm a PR (but Indian passport). So unsure which countries would accept visa on arrival or no visa. A lot of uncertainity looming around.
And for quarantine and all i've proper measures and place to do so, without impacting anyone else.

Just before anyone jumps and start spreading negativity, when you've family in both places that needs serious help at the time of crisis, one has to travel whether they like it or not.

Any helpful pointers will be appreciated.
Thanks
 

Idrissrafd

Hero Member
Aug 12, 2020
299
65
Is it possible to book a PCR test at Doha?

I'd my tickets booked for 29 Apr after a 5 month stay and needless to say now a waste.
Regarding status in Canada, I'm a PR (but Indian passport). So unsure which countries would accept visa on arrival or no visa. A lot of uncertainity looming around.
And for quarantine and all i've proper measures and place to do so, without impacting anyone else.

Just before anyone jumps and start spreading negativity, when you've family in both places that needs serious help at the time of crisis, one has to travel whether they like it or not.

Any helpful pointers will be appreciated.
Thanks
I’ll try to ask, I’ve some contacts.
Good luck.
 
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shaikraza

Newbie
Apr 23, 2021
9
2
I’ll try to ask, I’ve some contacts.
Good luck.
Please inform if you get any info about this please.
I have a booking from Hyd - Doha - Montreal for 4th of May. Very confused whether to reschedule it or not.
Any info would be highly helpful. (The test should NOT be a Rapid Antigen Test, I guess it should be PCR)
TIA
 
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nareri

Newbie
Apr 23, 2021
5
5
Please inform if you get any info about this please.
I have a booking from Hyd - Doha - Montreal for 4th of May. Very confused whether to reschedule it or not.
Any info would be highly helpful. (The test should NOT be a Rapid Antigen Test, I guess it should be PCR)
TIA
Is it just a connecting flight via Doha or a longer stay?
 

Idrissrafd

Hero Member
Aug 12, 2020
299
65
I’m sorry. Qatar airways just replied me :

Hello, as of April 22, 2021, at 11:30 p.m. (EDT), the Government of Canada will suspend flights from India and Pakistan for a period of 30 days.
During that period, passengers who travel to Canada from India or Pakistan via an indirect route will need to obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada

Hence, we are not allowed to board any customers to Canada from India and Pakistan until further notice as there is no PCR testing facility available in transit in Doha.

Thank you for your understanding.

Stay safe and good day.
I’m deeply sorry for you.
 

nareri

Newbie
Apr 23, 2021
5
5
Etihad is still allowing to book flights. But likely it'd have the same issue as Qatar Airways about in transit PCR testing. So we'll keep checking and post if anything opens up.

Good luck everyone.
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,282
8,889
In reality - let's wait and see what happens. Often what happens is that there are discussions more or less behind the scenes - and I wouldn't be surprised to see Qatar introduce additional measures and restrictions on entry/travel through Doha, possibly at the (partial) encouragement of Canada.
Hello, as of April 22, 2021, at 11:30 p.m. (EDT), the Government of Canada will suspend flights from India and Pakistan for a period of 30 days.
During that period, passengers who travel to Canada from India or Pakistan via an indirect route will need to obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada

Hence, we are not allowed to board any customers to Canada from India and Pakistan until further notice as there is no PCR testing facility available in transit in Doha.
First, I want to say that I'm deeply sympathetic to those stuck in this situation - whatever the need to do this from a policy / public health perspective, it truly is difficult for the individuals who get caught out. (So far this pandemic has left me and my family stuck three or four times already)

And I really am sad to say 'I told you so' - but yeah, the first reactions that "what about X?" are often wrong.

There will be other ways and countries to transit through, etc. Not all of them will be 'closed'. Some of them will. All of them will be painful for the people who get caught. And no policy is perfect.