Canadian Support Weakens For U.S. Border Closure and Hotel Quarantines
May 26, 2021 ctn_admin
Canadians believe hotel quarantines and 14-day home quarantines aren’t necessary for travellers with proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Canadian residents also feel the U.S. border should open this summer, and they’re strongly in favour of vaccine passports.
A study released today by Angus Reid found a softening of Canadian attitudes toward the U.S. border. The survey, which took place before the government announced the border closure would be extended to June 21, found that 52% of Canadians felt the border should open to non-essential travel after May 21 or “until summer.” Twenty seven per cent of those surveyed said the border should stay closed until “closer to fall,” while 21% of Canadians said to keep the border closed until the end of 2021.
Those numbers take a sharp turn if travellers are asked the questions, instead of ordinary Canadians who might not travel much. Among folks who took six or more trips out of the country between January 2018 and January 2020, 64% said the border should open in May or in summer, while 23% said to keep it closed until fall and 12% voiced support for a closure until the end of the year.
The survey also found that only 31% of Canadians believe a three-day stay at a government-approved hotel is necessary for travellers who arrive with proof of vaccination. Asked if they thought a three-day hotel quarantine was needed for travellers WITHOUT proof of vaccination, only 52% said yes.
Asked if they thought a 14-day quarantine is needed for folks without vaccination proof, 80% of respondents said yes. But only 48% of Canadians said they think quarantining at home for 14 days is a necessary measure for those who can show vaccination proof.
Angus Reid also found very solid support for vaccine passports in Canada. Asked if vaccine certificates should be mandatory for Canadians travelling internationally (excluding the U.S.), a remarkable 79% of those surveyed said “yes,” while just 18% said no. Asked if such passports should be mandatory for travel to the U.S. 76% said yes and 21% said no.
Significantly for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 89% of Liberal voters from 2019 said vaccine passports should be mandatory for international flights, and 87% said they should be required for travel to the U.S.
Asked if proof of vaccination should be required for people to attend a large public event such as a concert, 69% of Canadians said “yes” and 29% said “no.”
Asked if such a passport should be mandatory for public places in the community, such as restaurants, movie theatres, churches and malls, 55% said “yes” and 41% said “no.”
Angus Reid also asked Canadians what they would do about travel if they set government policy. 51% of Canadians said they would prohibit all international travel, while 34% said they’d maintain the status quo and strongly discourage international travel. Fourteen per cent said they would say nothing and leave it up to Canadians to decide if they want to leave the country.
Among travellers who took six or more trips between January 2018 and January 2020, 40% said they would prohibit all international travel, while 38% said they would continue to discourage it and 22% would let Canadians decide for themselves.
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