8 new sanitary measures to be aware of when travelling
With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, the world of travel is settling into a new normal—one that involves rigorous sanitary measures in airports, planes, buses, and trains. For those who want or need to travel, there’s no getting around them. Rest assured, though: CAA-Quebec is here to help you get a handle on these restrictive yet reassuring new measures.
Arriving an hour earlier
CAA-Quebec Travel representatives were invited to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport to see the new sanitary measures in action, which are summarized in this video. Travellers will need to arrive an hour earlier to get through the additional steps and checkpoints.
No friends or family in the terminal
Only travellers will be admitted into the terminal. Hugs, kisses, and goodbyes will have to take place outside.
Temperature check when entering the airport
Mandatory temperature check stations have been installed at all terminal entrances. Travellers will need to disinfect their hands and stand in front of a camera that takes their temperature. It’s fast and easy. Travellers with high temperatures will be asked to wait in a room near the door. From there, someone from their airline will assess the situation. Travellers with a fever will be barred from flying for the next 14 days.
Mandatory face masks
Wearing a face mask is now mandatory in all closed public spaces, including airport terminals, buses, and planes.
Mobile apps and self-serve stations highly recommended
There are a number of mobile apps that travellers can use to simplify the process at the airport.
The Montreal airport’s mobile app allows you to pay for parking in advance and open the gate with a QR code, then maps out a personalized route for you at the airport with all the information you need in real time. Interactive stations at the check-in counter allow you to check in luggage on your own, without it being handled by anyone else.
Airline apps, like the Air Canada and Air Transat apps, allow you to check in ahead of time and download a digital boarding pass.
Use Border Services' ArriveCAN app to provide all the required information when going through the Canadian border. You’ll save time while reducing your contact with Border Services officers.
Boarding in small groups
A number of airlines have new boarding procedures to avoid creating long lines. Boarding starts from the back of the plane. First-class ticket holders will be the last ones called to board.
A hygiene kit in the plane
A number of airlines now give passengers a hygiene kit containing sanitizer gel, hand wipes, and a mask, among other things. Other airlines, including Air France, require all passengers to wear a medical mask.
Masks and reservations a must when you arrive
The kind of free-rolling travel where you make spur-of-the-moment decisions based on your mood and the weather is out. Tourist attractions such as Walt Disney World Resort are gradually reopening, but are requiring visitors to wear a mask and book ahead.
Can I travel outside Canada or not?
All of CAA-Quebec’s 14 Travel Centres are open. Our travel counsellors are very happy to see their customers again, and are carefully following all the sanitary measures needed to keep everyone safe. They’re well versed in all the new travel measures and are there to help travellers with any questions they may have. If you’re thinking of travelling now or in the future, they’ll be happy to go over the options with you.
At this time, you can travel within Quebec and to a number of other Canadian provinces. Note that CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance covers COVID-19 within Canada.
For travel outside the country, even if a number of countries have reopened their borders and airlines are gradually resuming flights, the official recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada still stands. For that reason, many insurers aren’t offering medical coverage for travel outside the country at this time. Anyone returning from a trip abroad is still required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
You can still plan future trips!
The current directive certainly doesn’t stop you from planning a trip in the next year or two. Just be aware that booking ahead is a somewhat risky proposition at the moment, even with all the great deals popping up. The advisory against non-essential travel could still be in effect when your trip starts, which would make it impossible for you to get insurance for medical care.
That being said, many suppliers now have flexible policies that allow you to reschedule a trip up to 48 hours before departure, for example. That can be very reassuring for many travellers.
So what should you do? Our travel counsellors will always give you the straight goods, but the decision to book a trip or not is ultimately yours. Find out more about what you currently can and can’t do, travel-wise.