Travel Advisory - Canadian’s out of country

[Alderbrook]

We just had friends come back from Cuba last night. Absolutely nothing said at Pearson about self isolation. They are not self isolating and the wife works at a hospital In Mississauga. They said they spoke to customs about it because of the lack of info and customs said there was no info on self isolating.

my inlaws won’t even reply to messages about coming back. They are staying as far as we know. my SIL is also telling them to come back. Happy hour and warm weather are more important. My husband said he has given up.

 

[Silvermist999]

The government suggesting you don’t travel is a joke. All plane and cruise travel should be banned for a few weeks.

Just read on CP24 there was an incoming flight from Spain last night. Passengers said no one was screened at all, customs never even asked f they felt unwell, and they were not told to self quarantine

If they are still allowing flights, the LEAST that can be done to protect everyone at home is to tell those returning to self-quarantine for 14 days to monitor for symptoms. Apparently the questionnaires given to air travelers only ask if they have recently travelled to China. That was a long time ago! Nobody in the past months thought to revise these questionnaires to ask about Iran, Italy, Spain, etc etc!

 

[Jrb1979]

I don't get it either. Air travel is where most of the cases originated from. I think they need to step this up and do what Spain has done. No one is allowed to leave their homes unless it is to go to work or get essentials. Even then only 1 person per household is allowed out. I'm afraid its the only way to make people understand.

That is why I think they should have closed airports and stopped all air travel. Not enough people are taking this serious at all. My step sister still plans on going to Cuba later this week cause she believes this is only a mild virus and if she is stuck there they will take care of her. What has happened in Italy and Spain should concern everyone. All people look at is the deaths and think nothing of it. The problem is if many people contract this at once it will overwhelm our hospitals just like in Italy.

 

[ottawamom]

I just called my brother (he's 65). He's still planning on going to Mexico March 28th. He doesn't think this is a big deal... I ripped one into him using every arguement I've read about in the past week. I don't think I changed his mind so I finished up with pleading.

My sister and I will keep on him. I hope something else will happen that changes his mind or that the planes stop flying!!

I just want to hit a few people over the head and get them to smarten up. But as my sister so often says "you can't impose your will on others" Why not?

 

[elaine amj]

We just had friends come back from Cuba last night. Absolutely nothing said at Pearson about self isolation. They are not self isolating and the wife works at a hospital In Mississauga. They said they spoke to customs about it because of the lack of info and customs said there was no info on self isolating.

my inlaws won’t even reply to messages about coming back. They are staying as far as we know. my SIL is also telling them to come back. Happy hour and warm weather are more important. My husband said he has given up.

This is from Toronto Public Health:
At this time, we are recommending for people who have travelled outside of Canada, including the United States, to self-isolate and avoid contact with others for 14 days after arriving back in Toronto. This includes people who may have returned to the city in the past 14 days. If you develop symptoms, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Canadians are also advised to avoid all cruise ship travel.

I think all the stuff we have been reading the past couple of months of how ppl are blowing this out of proportion is really affecting everyone's decision making. For two months we have been told that practicing safe hygiene is sufficient. All of a sudden, it no longer is? I am still struggling to figure out what the responsible thing to do is. Looks like we are moving rapidly to lockdowns and home quarantines even wjth no cases in our community.

 

[Jrb1979]

This is from Toronto Public Health:
At this time, we are recommending for people who have travelled outside of Canada, including the United States, to self-isolate and avoid contact with others for 14 days after arriving back in Toronto. This includes people who may have returned to the city in the past 14 days. If you develop symptoms, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Canadians are also advised to avoid all cruise ship travel.

I think all the stuff we have been reading the past couple of months of how ppl are blowing this out of proportion is really affecting everyone's decision making. For two months we have been told that practicing safe hygiene is sufficient. All of a sudden, it no longer is? I am still struggling to figure out what the responsible thing to do is. Looks like we are moving rapidly to lockdowns and home quarantines even wjth no cases in our community.

As far the self-isolate goes it should be mandatory not suggested. Cause just suggesting it most people won't do it.

I think it's due to the fact the virus really hadn't spread much til now. What has gone in Italy and how overwhelmed their hospitals have become has made an impact. The only way to get people to practice social distancing is to close things. Too many people have the mindset that this virus is only mild and they will be fine.

 

[elaine amj]

I think it's due to the fact the virus really hadn't spread much til now. What has gone in Italy and how overwhelmed their hospitals have become has made an impact. The only way to get people to practice social distancing is to close things. Too many people have the mindset that this virus is only mild and they will be fine.

Yes - that is what we have been told for two months now. Everyone saying not to panic and just wash your hands.

All of a sudden, that's not seen as responsible. I'm struggling to catch up and have now resigned ourselves to pretty much staying home for the next 1-2 months. We want to do our part - just need to find out what that is lol.

 

[clarker99]

What is happening at airports all over is ridiculous but they were not built to be healthcare screening/holding facilities. Gov’t had to call everyone back before borders close and planes are grounded. Now they have to time the nationwide lockdown at the right time.

We all have to wrap our heads around the fact that we are all going to get this virus. Not if but when. This isnt a situation like a storm where you can hunker down and it passes by. The virus is here. We can NOT stop it. All we can do is try and slow the spread so the healthcare system can handle the worst cases. Hence social distancing. This is super hard for humans being to comprehend but we need the virus to spread to develop immunity. It is a balancing act of active cases vs. healthcare systems ability to handle the worst active cases.

 

[Coffee66]

Yes - that is what we have been told for two months now. Everyone saying not to panic and just wash your hands.

All of a sudden, that's not seen as responsible. I'm struggling to catch up and have now resigned ourselves to pretty much staying home for the next 1-2 months. We want to do our part - just need to find out what that is lol.

Get some good john Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I know the thought a lot of people have had is the media blowing this up and freaking people out, but as someone who has been following this since the beginning I think it has actually been downplayed by both the media and the government, which is exactly why there is so much panic buying and uncertainty right now, and why people are so caught off guard with the sudden change in recommendations.

Just washing your hands was never enough to prevent this. It was irresponsible to make it seem as it was. The spread in China, Italy, and Iran (and now countless other countries) never could have been prevented by washing hands. It was almost disrespectful to the people who have died, especially the doctors and nurses in China, to make it seem as if they weren’t doing enough to protect themselves. Social distancing is the name of the game. If closures are what it takes to force that on people, that’s what we’re going to get.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I don’t know if this goes for you guys in other provinces, but months ago our overworked nurses and major cutbacks in our hospitals was a dominating story. It is frustrating me how quickly people forget. Suddenly our already overwhelmed system can handle this no problem?

 

[elaine amj]

I know the thought a lot of people have had is the media blowing this up and freaking people out, but as someone who has been following this since the beginning I think it has actually been downplayed by both the media and the government, which is exactly why there is so much panic buying and uncertainty right now, and why people are so caught off guard with the sudden change in recommendations.

Just washing your hands was never enough to prevent this. It was irresponsible to make it seem as it was. The spread in China, Italy, and Iran (and now countless other countries) never could have been prevented by washing hands. It was almost disrespectful to the people who have died, especially the doctors and nurses in China, to make it seem as if they weren’t doing enough to protect themselves. Social distancing is the name of the game. If closures are what it takes to force that on people, that’s what we’re going to get.

I think you are right. It's hard to readjust after we have been told over and over again for 2 months that good hand hygiene is enough.

We are preparing our family for a lockdown. My kids are still working at a local cafe and I am starting to wonder if we should stop allowing that.

Today I told them that when they come home, they need to leave their shoes at the door and change their clothes when they get home.

 

[pigletto]

I don’t know if this goes for you guys in other provinces, but months ago our overworked nurses and major cutbacks in our hospitals was a dominating story. It is frustrating me how quickly people forget. Suddenly our already overwhelmed system can handle this no problem?

THIS.
Our western values and living in the land of plenty has led us to believe that we are entitled to this health care , that it will all be ok , that someone will take care of it. We are now at situation critical and an overtaxed system is going to take a major beating. Its going to mean a lack of resources and it’s going to end people’s lives.

My 65 year old cancer survivor mother , who is a nurse practitioner, will be risking her life and health to screen the sick and give quality care . She won’t walk away from you. She will care for the sick, she volunteers her time to visit with palliative patients in their homes so there is no talking her out of being on the front lines of this . She‘s a good woman who’s going to risk her life to help. She worked the SARS screening tents and she will work this, without complaint.

This ONE story out of thousands of people who are going to do the right thing and care for us when we need them. We need to do the right thing and practice social distancing. We have to flatten the curve.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

People leaving now should be checking with their medical coverage. I don't see how they would possibly be covered given the travel restrictions should something happen. Maybe the possibility of a 500,000 hospital stay somewhere might change their mind.
Speaking of irresponsible people...my hubby is livid learning that the ceo of their LTC facility went to Florida for March break.

 

[bababear_50]

I know my neighbour is sorry but it doesn't change the fact that what she did affects me and my family. Monday she took off to France,,,,Thursday she returned. Texted me that she is not sick but will be wiping down the door knobs that connect our garage..................................................(This is a townhouse that share a common garage area.)She is over 70 and had major open heart surgery just over a year and half ago,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.......................I just had surgery..........................................................(all those little dots are complete frustration and anger)....................................................,,I didn't even know how to respond to her text..................................................................
OMG people think of how your actions can affect others,,,thank God I'm off work ( I work in a BIG school full of kids)...................................
Thanks for letting me vent this out here.......................................
Mel

 

[quandrea]

I know my neighbour is sorry but it doesn't change the fact that what she did affects me and my family. Monday she took off to France,,,,Thursday she returned. Texted me that she is not sick but will be wiping down the door knobs that connect our garage..................................................(This is a townhouse that share a common garage area.)She is over 70 and had major open heart surgery just over a year and half ago,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.......................I just had surgery..........................................................(all those little dots are complete frustration and anger)....................................................,,I didn't even know how to respond to her text..................................................................
OMG people think of how your actions can affect others,,,thank God I'm off work ( I work in a BIG school full of kids)...................................
Thanks for letting me vent this out here.......................................
Mel

Hugs to you Mel. You encouraged me a couple of weeks ago when I cancelled our marathon trip. Today it’s my turn...I’ll be thinking of you.

 

[bababear_50]

Hugs to you Mel. You encouraged me a couple of weeks ago when I cancelled our marathon trip. Today it’s my turn...I’ll be thinking of you.

Thanks Hon!!I appreciate it!!

Hugs
Mel

 

[ottawamom]

We want to do our part - just need to find out what that is lol.

If I can make a suggestion. Give to the your local food bank. They will not be seeing a lot of things coming in if everyone is sheltering in place. Make a donation via the web if you can't get out to drop some things off in a basket at the grocery store.

 

[Donald - my hero]

People leaving now should be checking with their medical coverage. I don't see how they would possibly be covered given the travel restrictions should something happen. Maybe the possibility of a 500,000 hospital stay somewhere might change their mind.
Speaking of irresponsible people...my hubby is livid learning that the ceo of their LTC facility went to Florida for March break.

This is what you find when you ask Google "will my travel insurance cover me now" Based on these 3 popping up at the top of the list I'd say .. a fairly solid, yeah, travel now, you better not need any medical attention. AND if you are already travelling you have around 10 days to get home before you have no coverage
Manulife:


Blue Cross

AS well as this Choosing to travel against a Government of Canada Level 3 or 4 advisory invalidates all coverage

Johnson Insurance doesn't have such a "flashy" warning on their home page but this info is under their COVID-19 section
For Out of Country Medical Insurance, a travel advisory of “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” will impact insurance coverage.

• Out of country emergency medical coverage is not available if a formal travel advisory is issued before your departure;
• If a travel advisory is issued after departure, medical coverage for that location is limited to a period of 10 days from the date of the travel advisory or formal notice was issued, or to a period that is reasonably necessary for you to safely evacuate the country, region or area.

 

[mshanson3121]

So ticked off at our local ski resort. They are completely ignoring the recommendations and are in fact expanding their hours, for all the people who are "off school and work". They went so far as to say they welcome tailgaters. They have just lost my business, permanently.