BC businesses ready to welcome fully vaccinated international travelers

Despite a fourth wave of infections that has seen the number of COVID-19 cases increase across the country, Canada is moving forward with plans to ease travel restrictions. It is a decision that is welcomed by stakeholders in the tourism industry.

“It’s a sign of hope,” says Charles McDiarmid, general manager of the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia.

He says the possibility of news and increasing business is a big problem for many operations that depend on tourism.

“The travel industry has been among the hardest hit of all the industries out there,” McDiarmid said.

Overseas travelers have always been an important part of the Wickaninnish Inn’s business model, he says.

And since Canada announced the easing of restrictions, McDiarmid says the luxury hostel has seen an increase in inquiries and bookings, mostly from the UK, Germany and France, though the majority reserve stays for next summer.

Plus, the requirement to be fully vaccinated instills a sense of ease among staff and other travelers, he says.

The Vancouver Aquabus Ferries team is also delighted to welcome international customers after a difficult year and a half.

“It has been extremely difficult. Fatigue is definitely being felt throughout the company,” said COO Jake Pratt.

He says about 50 percent of the company’s business normally comes from tourism.

“I’m super happy to see them come back, as long as they’re doubly vaccinated,” Pratt said.

However, he says staff shortages are a big concern as they have been for many industries, especially if the number of tourists starts to increase.

Relaxation of restrictions in wave 4

With British Columbia and the rest of Canada in the midst of the fourth wave of the pandemic, some fear now is not the right time to waive quarantine requirements for travelers.

The province announced 671 new cases on Friday for a total of 5,872 people infected with the virus. In addition, a total of 215 people are hospitalized, including 118 in intensive care.

However, Dr Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Center, is confident in the decision.

“We have to move forward and we have to do it in a safe way and in a way where we can measure very precisely whether it was the best step or not and then change our mind based on the results,” said Conway.

With the relaxed restrictions, travelers still need to meet certain requirements:

• They must have received all the required doses from aCOVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canadaat least 14 days before entering the country.
• They must submit their travel information using theArriverCAN applicationor byonline registrationwithin 72 hours of their arrival.
• Uploaded immunization documents should be inEnglish or French.
• Land travelers should alsobring evidencea negative COVID-19 molecular test performed within 72 hours of intended entry into Canada. Air travelers must pass such a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of their flight to the country.

Conway says health officials will also run random COVID-19 tests on arriving travelers.

“With all the procedures in place, we shouldn’t be picking up a lot of COVID,” Conway said. “If it’s too high, then the whole process needs to be rethought.”

Ranjeev Sandhu, president of Star Limousine, which serves Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, said business was down about 85% during the pandemic. Since American travelers were allowed to re-enter Canada in August, his business has seen a slight uptick.

Much of Sandhu’s business depends on arriving people at Vancouver International Airport.

He says, in his experience, the COVID precautions in place for travelers appear to protect the Canadian public.

“The testing regime seems to be working well,” Sandhu told CBC host Stephen QuinnThe first edition, Tuesday.