Warning PCR test will be required to enter Canada with in 3 days of arrival

[Cdn_Gringo]

Someone needs to buy three or four and set up a booth at the major airports here in the DR.

 

[DR fan1990]

That’s my take on the new vaccine restrictions in Florida. Not due to Canadian snowbirds. Due mainly to the large numbers of out of state US residents crossing the state line to get the vaccinations.

Just spoke to a stranded friend of mine staying in Playa Dorada and trying to get back to the UK. The British Consulate and his travel insurance company did nothing for him. The DR Consulate contacted his family in the UK to update them, the DR government is arranging a Covid test and transportation for him today, and he is returning by flying Santo Domingo to Germany to the UK. More or less proof that the DR government is supporting tourists stranded in the DR.

All that remains now is for the Canadian government to come up with a viable solution to resolve the problem of stranded Canadian tourists in the DR.

I will be happy when this bureaucratic bullshit is over!

What do you mean stranded Canadian tourists in DR? Are flights from DR to Canada canceled now?

 

[MGD]

When it comes to travelling abroad right now, the Government of Canada is doubling down on its advice.
In a new tweet, an official federal page has warned that taking an international vacation during the COVID-19 pandemic could be a mistake for “your health and your wallet.”
The notice, shared on January 17, warns travellers to “Expect significant delays for mandatory #COVID19 testing.”
“You could be stuck at your destination,” it concludes.
The message comes around 10 days after Canada’s travel rules got an update.
All incoming air passengers are now required to show a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding, in addition to the country’s mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon arrival.
Transport Canada has warned on multiple occasions that taking a trip abroad during the pandemic could result in difficulty returning to Canada.
Canadians have even been told they could get stuck overseas if they’re unable to obtain the necessary documentation to return.
While there’s no outright travel ban in place, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told travellers that it’s time to “take this seriously,” and said, “no one should be vacationing abroad right now.”

CANADA WARNS OF NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS INCLUDING HOTEL QUARANTINE
The Canadian government has warned that potential new travel restrictions will seriously impede Canadians ability to return home.
Measures could include a mandatory hotel quarantine that is supervised by police.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday his government will do what it takes to protect Canadian citizens and the restrictions will “significantly impede” Canadians returning home including the cost of hotel quarantine.
Trudeau said Friday that such measures could be imposed without notice and warned Canadians to not travel abroad.
“Let me be very clear: Nobody should be taking a vacation abroad right now. If you’ve got one planned, cancel it – and don’t book a trip for spring break. We need to hang on and hold tight for the next few months, and get through to the spring in the best shape possible,” Justin Trudeau Tweeted.
Canadian returning home could face quarantine costs that run into the thousands of dollars which would essentially shut down all non-essential travel without having to introduce a controversial travel ban.
With Canadians having to provide a negative covid-19 test, quarantine for 14 days and now potentially a supervised hotel quarantine at their own cost would make taking a vacation almost impossible for the majority of Canadians.
Trudeau has been warning Canadians that travel restrictions could change without notice for the last week. The warning could be giving time for Canadians that are abroad to make their way home before new measures are announced.

 

[thompstr]

Landed in DR yeserday
Westjet from Toronto, plane was like quarter full
Had to take a covid test in DR before customs,blow 3 times in a device for 7secs wait 5 mins
Westjet rep dropped me off at hotel....casa marina...and basically said I was on my own
Ask about covid test to return to Canada....he said I think hotel can do it

 

[Ecoman1949]

What do you mean stranded Canadian tourists in DR? Are flights from DR to Canada canceled now?

No. There are less flights since the testing requirements were implemented but weekly flights to POP and PC are still trickling in. I was referring to Canadian tourists having difficulty getting the proper tests and having to delay their return. Like the 20 or so Canadians barred from boarding a return flight last week because airport staff misinterpreted the Canadian testing requirements and arbitrarily barred them from boarding.

 

[windeguy]

I see that that Canada might be changing their test requirements, did they go with a quick test? Otherwise did CMC actually get the equipment to do a proper PCR test? (not the incorrectly called AG-PCR test like they can do now).

Otherwise, it is off to Puerto Plata for the proper test.

 

[Ecoman1949]

I see that that Canada might be changing their test requirements, did they go with a quick test? Otherwise did CMC actually get the equipment to do a proper PCR test? (not the incorrectly called AG-PCR test like they can do now).

Otherwise, it is off to Puerto Plata for the proper test.

Not aware of any changes to the Canadian testing criteria at this point. Health Canada just approved the Spartan Bioscience portable RT- PCR test kit. Results in less than an hour. It could be a game changer at airports, medical labs, etc. Not that expensive, the size of a coffee cup and user friendly with a high degree of accuracy. It may become the testing standard at Canadian airports.

As I posted earlier, the problem of Canadians having difficulty getting approved testing prior to returning home has festered to the point where the Canadian government has to do something to alleviate the problem. The US requirements allow more flexibility. Wish Canada had gone that way. They could be testing alongside US tourists at the resorts and getting quicker results.

On the positive side, one more treatment may be added to the Covid treatment tool kit. Canadian researchers just completed $14 million study involving 4500 people treated with an anti inflammatory. The treatment reduces hospitalizations by 24%, intubation by 45% and reduces deaths. Not approved yet by Health Canada but under review. The initial aim of the study was a reduction in hospitalizations to lessen the impact on ICU’s.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Someone needs to buy three or four and set up a booth at the major airports here in the DR.

A license to print money for anyone who does! Less than a one hour wait for the results. Should have bought shares in the company.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

You shouldn’t have a problem getting a PCR test in Sosua, Cabarete, or Puerto Plata for your return.

This doesn't seem to be the reality on the ground here. No real PCR tests available anywhere in Sosua or Cabarete. Puerto Plata is the only option and the time it takes to get the results has been problematic for some Canadian travelers. Some Puerto Plata labs may be able to arrange for the test to be done at your home or hotel. However, that service costs more and doesn't improve the time needed for the tests to be processed and the results returned. Antigen tests seems to be available in lots of places in Sosua and Cabarete if that type of test is what the person needs.

 

[windeguy]

A true RT-PCR test from Spartan BioScience in less than an hour would certainly help the Canadian cause for coming back home.

But still, all the bluster on the topic from Trudeau might give some Canadians pause on travelling outside Canada.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

I see that that Canada might be changing their test requirements, did they go with a quick test?

Where did you see this?

 

[windeguy]

On the positive side, one more treatment may be added to the Covid treatment tool kit. Canadian researchers just completed $14 million study involving 4500 people treated with an anti inflammatory. The treatment reduces hospitalizations by 24%, intubation by 45% and reduces deaths. Not approved yet by Health Canada but under review. The initial aim of the study was a reduction in hospitalizations to lessen the impact on ICU’s.

Dexamethasone perhaps? One poster, now departed from the DR to live permanently back in Canada, said that dexamethasone was the only thing that saved his wife's life as her brain was shutting down from CV19 while in HOMS hospital in Santiago.

 

[windeguy]

Where did you see this?

I am not sure I can find it again. I was scanning the news about flying into Canada and noticed a few words about testing. It was probably nothing.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Otherwise did CMC actually get the equipment to do a proper PCR test? (not the incorrectly called AG-PCR test like they can do now).

I do not believe that CMC has received any equipment to perform the LAMP PCR test which they claim to have ordered and are waiting for it to arrive. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. It is unlikely that PCR testing will be available in Sosua or Cabarete anytime soon.

 

[DR fan1990]

A true RT-PCR test from Spartan BioScience in less than an hour would certainly help the Canadian cause for coming back home.

But still, all the bluster on the topic from Trudeau might give some Canadians pause on travelling outside Canada.

What will give Canadians pause of traveling is the likely enforcement of a mandatory quarantine at hotel upon their return home, at their own expenses.

This is the safest way for Trudeau to stop international travel for Canadians without infringing on their constitutional rights to travel.

You can bet everyone in Canada will just stop traveling for leisure if the federal government implements this law. Who wants to fork additional expenses on top of their tight vacation budget just to pay for a mandatory hotel stay??

 

[Ecoman1949]

Dexamethasone perhaps? One poster, now departed from the DR to live permanently back in Canada, said that dexamethasone was the only thing that saved his wife's life as her brain was shutting down from CV19 while in HOMS hospital in Santiago.

Dexamethasone perhaps? One poster, now departed from the DR to live permanently back in Canada, said that dexamethasone was the only thing that saved his wife's life as her brain was shutting down from CV19 while in HOMS hospital

No. Colchicine. Google it on CBC news site. The reduction in deaths, intubations and hospitalizations is significant.

 

[Ecoman1949]

What will give Canadians pause of traveling is the likely enforcement of a mandatory quarantine at hotel upon their return home, at their own expenses.

This is the safest way for Trudeau to stop international travel for Canadians without infringing on their constitutional rights to travel.

You can bet everyone in Canada will just stop traveling for leisure if the federal government implements this law. Who wants to fork additional expenses on top of their tight vacation budget just to pay for a mandatory hotel stay??

It’s my understanding Canadians have two isolation options. If it’s viable you can do it at home. If not you stay in a government designated facility free of charge. The new US requirements mention staying at hotels.

The mandatory isolation has not been a detriment to thousands of Québécois, Ontarian’s, and Albertans so far. Flights are still leaving Montreal, Toronto and Calgary with tourists and snowbirds. Granted not as many as there was before the testing requirements were implemented but they are still coming.

Once the government straightens out the testing confusion and makes testing easier for returning Canadians, I expect an increase in Canadian tourists heading to the DR despite the isolation requirement. Especially if the Federal government adopts the Calgary five to seven day isolation requirement model.

 

[MGD]

I can’t see turning private hotels into Covid ghettos.

They are already doing this with the homeless so why wouldn`t they do it for vacationers, who are going to be paying the bills?

 

[Ecoman1949]

They are already doing this with the homeless so why wouldn`t they do it for vacationers, who are going to be paying the bills?

Because vacationers can isolate at home. There is no need for them to pay for a hotel. More to the point, accommodating the homeless is a different social issue. They have no financial resources.

 

[Astucia]

Actually Russ, it’s an RT-PCR portable testing system. It meets the Canadian government testing requirement for international travellers returning to Canada. A one hour time frame from sample collection to results. I was thinking the same thing you were. Perfect for testing at Canadian airports. DR testing facilities could stock up on the units (about the size of a coffee cup) and provide fast testing to US and Canadian tourists. The unit is so simple and fail safe, they trained 10 year olds to use it. Soon to be available for use or purchase at Canadian pharmacies.

So does this mean purchase for personal use ? If so - I'll have one shipped here as soon as available. Please provide link or more info.
Thanks