What It’s Like To Travel Right Now

March 7, 2022 Marsha Mowers

Most of us are excited to start travelling again after a (very) long, two years. Restrictions are lifted, protocols are still in place – so what do you need to know to step on a plane again?

Canadian Travel News recently travelled to the Bahamas, here’s a look at what you need to know.

Testing

It can be a bit confusing because what is required depends on where you are going.  We recommend using Sherpa for entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to.

If you’re travelling to a country that requires a rapid antigen test, you can book at Shoppers Drug Mart (Ontario) for $40. It’s a simple swab, you wait 15 mins and they give you a printout of your results. You will need to enter your passport number if you book online, though it’s a good idea to bring it in person for your test as well – we’ve been asked for it for verification 2/3 times.  

Canada and many other destinations used to require a negative PCR test to enter. This changed February 28 in Canada and now, upon return to Canada, a rapid antigen test is now accepted. A full rundown of Canada’s travel requirements can be found here.

Many hotels in destination offer tests, in some cases it’s included. This is a major reason to use a travel agent – they have connections to arrange for your test to return home.

The Airport

We’ve only travelled from Toronto’s Pearson International, but it is busy! Nexus lines haven’t been staffed on return or departing, in both T1 and T3, so if you think you’re going to sail through customs like you did pre-COVID, don’t 100% count on it.

Inside the airport, it’s basically the same procedures as before, except you must wear a mask. Sometimes, depending on your time of arrival, there is what’s called a “customs hold.” This means that passengers getting off the airplane are staggered; those with connections are off first, followed by 15 passengers every 5 minutes.  This is a COVID protocol and is regardless of airline or terminal and is meant to help decrease the number of people in line for customs.

Many airports allow digital boarding passes, but many don’t.  If you think you’re good because you’ve checked in online and just need to go through security – don’t. Bahamas for example, is one country where you still have to stand in a check in line to get your pass printed – there are no kiosks and they don’t have the equipment to scan at security.

Even though we were checked in and had filled out our ArriveCAN app in advance, we had to stand in line to get a printed boarding pass. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it did take about an hour which was an hour we weren’t expecting as we thought we could go directly through security with our printed pass and no checked bags.

Documents

To board a plane departing Canada, you must be fully vaccinated and, depending on destination, have a negative test.  It’s important to note that the testing requirements are based on your destination, NOT Canada’s or the airline. For example, if you’re a fully vaccinated traveller to Jamaica, you need to show a negative antigen test to travel. If you’re going to Mexico, where tests aren’t required, you don’t need one.

When you check in online, most airlines will require you to upload your vaccination certificate and test results.  It’s an easy step, you just need to make sure you’ve got a digital copy of them handy. Screenshots are fine.  With Air Canada, you will receive a “confirmation” email a few hours after you check in.

All visitors must fill in ArriveCAN before arrival to Canada, and less than 72 hours before. It’s easy, and again, you will need to upload your vaccination certificate and your negative test result. 

We recommend printing hard copies of everything – your vaccination record (with QR code), test result and any needed travel authorizations for the country you’re visiting, ie Bahamas Travel Visa.  Wifi isn’t the greatest in many countries outside Canada, so having hard copies is always helpful. Each time we’ve returned home, we were asked to show proof of ArriveCAN and test by an airline agent while waiting in line. Have it all handy to show them.

Accommodations

The places we’ve been to since the pandemic started, and all been very strict about enforcing protocols.  Masks are required in cabs/transportation, in common areas like lobbies, and can be taken off in restaurants.  They are not required in outdoor areas, though if go up to a hut on the property for a snack or a drink, you likely will be required to wear one to order.  

Staff are very faithful in keeping areas sanitized and giving gentle reminders to mask up, which let’s face it, is easy to forget when you’re on vacation. Room service will ask if it’s ok to enter your room to deliver; some resorts won’t allow entry at all and will instead pass you the tray.

HAVE FUN!

Perhaps most important, remember to have fun. We can pretty much guarantee the next vacation you take will be among your most memorable. Remember however that resorts and airlines and everything in between, are still rebuilding.  Many staff were laid off and are only now starting to come back.  Restaurants might be short staffed, calling the front desk might take longer than it used to, lineups to check in are longer.  But it will smooth out eventually – just be excited that travel is back!

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