Tourism Advocacy Update – December 16, 2020 - Association de l'industrie touristique du Canada

COVID-19 Updates > Tourism Advocacy Update – December 16, 2020

Tourism Advocacy Update – December 16, 2020

Publié le 16 Décembre 2020

December 16, 2020

Dear Tourism Stakeholders,

The TIAC Team is pleased to provide you with this update on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, including the steps government is taking to address the situation. We are working hard to make sure the industry’s voice is heard by government, and that you have the information you need to keep your business going in these uncertain times.

Please find the latest updates on official announcements and a recap of TIAC’s advocacy work on behalf of Canada’s Visitor Economy:

TIAC’s Advocacy Update

TIAC’s Acting CEO continues advocacy outreach to discuss measures outlined in the Fall Economic Statement with key decision makers
This week, the Acting CEO met with advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Small Business Shadow Critic, and advisors in the Deputy Prime Minister’s office to discuss sector specific roll out plans

Government Announcements

Canada U.S. Border Closure
- The Canada-U.S land border closure was extended again to January 21, 2021
- News Link: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-u-s-land-border-closure-extended-again-to-jan-21-2021-1.5227426

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
- The first vaccine was given to a Canadian Citizen on December 11, 2020, beginning the vaccine rollout that will likely last for most of 2021.
- Canada will be receiving up to 200,000 more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine next week, and potentially up to 168,000 Moderna vaccine doses by end of December
- Vaccinations begin in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador
- News Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2020/12/canada-to-receive-early-access-to-moderna-covid-19-vaccine.html
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-locks-in-thousands-more-early-covid-19-vaccine-doses-1.5231973

Alberta Restrictions are in place for the next four weeks, as of Monday December 14
- Retail: 15% capacity
- Restaurants: Takeout & curbside pickup only
- Hotels: May remain open – no spas, pools, room services only.
- Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness
- News Link: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
First Results of Alberta Pilot Project Show Low Infection Rates
- Under the pilot program international travelers may visit Alberta through Calgary international airport or though Alberta’s southern border with the US. Under the program travelers may get tested on arrival and must isolate 24-48h. If negative they may leave quarantine with additional testing on day 6 or 7.
- News Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tom-mcmillan-calgary-airport-westjet-pilot-project-coutts-1.5839173
Alberta Hotels to House Isolators, Providing Funds to People Who Isolate at Home
- Individuals in these areas who test positive for COVID-19 will be eligible for a free-of-charge hotel room stay of 14 days, complete with culturally appropriate food.
- Release Link: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=7591213FD4097-ACE5-AED2-40355B77AA35E600

Saskatchewan Announces New Restrictions to be in place until January 15th
- Phased roll out
- News Link: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2020/december/14/covid-19-update-new-measures-to-further-reduce-transmission-risk

Manitoba officially administered its first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Wednesday morning
News Link: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-administers-first-covid-19-vaccines-1.5233299

Ontario No Longer Funding Testing for Departing International Travelers
- Canadians wishing to travel internationally, on airlines or to destinations requiring a COVID-19 test will now need to purchase that test from a private testing company or travel clinic.
- Release Link: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59628/ontario-updates-testing-guidelines-for-outbound-international-travellers
Ontario Provides More Financial Relief for Municipalities During COVID-19
- Ontario is providing $695M to support its municipalities to limit operating deficits carried into 2021. $299M is being divided across all 444 municipalities and an additional $396M being allocated to the 48 worst hit:
- Release Link: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59677/ontario-provides-more-financial-relief-for-municipalities-during-covid-19

BC Lifting Low Intensity Exercise Restrictions
- To allow activities such as yoga, Tai-Chi, Pilates, and low intensity exercise machines to operate.
- Release link: https://bit.ly/3aipFja

Quebec in Lockdown from December 25 to January 11
- Non essential businesses to be closed aimed at breaking the second wave
- News Link: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-heads-into-18-day-lockdown-non-essential-businesses-to-close-from-dec-25-to-jan-11-1.5231341

COVID-19 vaccine clinics are underway in three of four Atlantic provinces as of December 16
- News Link: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-vaccine-clinics-underway-in-three-of-four-atlantic-provinces-1.5233337

Nova Scotia to Close Public Schools And Pre-Primary Programs Dec 19 - Jan 10
- Release link: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates/

Yukon Announces Tourism Recovery Plan - $15M
- The Yukon government is releasing a three-year local relief recovery plan to revive its tourism industry.
- Tourism Recovery Plan: https://yukon.ca/en/tourism-relief-and-recovery-plan
- Release link: https://yukon.ca/en/news/covid-19-relief-and-recovery-plan-yukon-tourism-sector-released