Thinking About Travel Summer 2020?

Will you travel in summer 2020? Can you travel in summer 2020? Can anyone?

As of June 2020, various regions of the world are in various stages of reopening their economies and societies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quite rightly, most jurisdictions are proceeding cautiously, and a lot is still unknown. 

The most optimistic projections for summer 2020 say maybe...in a limited way...if you don't travel too far.

• The key phrase is: know before you go. Spontaneous trips are out, and travelers will have to do some planning before hitting the road to anywhere. 

North America 

Most areas in North America are expecting to reopen gradually through June and July. In the US, the travel industry, which has lost billions in cancelled trips since the pandemic hit in earnest in March, is hoping for a bit of a bounce in July. They're expecting in-country travel since many foreign destinations are still closed to travelers. 

According to The NY Times, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort began operating again at about a third capacity. However, they are expecting sold-out crowds for the July 4 weekend. 

In Canada, there is limited travel within the country, since some provinces still have closed borders. Residents are being asked to avoid non-essential travel, but technically, you can travel from British Columbia to Ontario. However, the Saskatchewan government has restricted all non-essential travel in and out of communities in the northern region of the province. 

If you travel between Manitoba and Ontario, you'll cross a checkpoint where you'll be given up to date information about the spread of the virus. 

Quebec is still largely out of bounds, although the government has begun to remove the roadblocks that were set up in various places, including the crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau. 

Travel to and from the Atlantic provinces is more restrictive. On May 4, the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act was modified in Newfoundland and Labrador. The amendment prohibits everyone except permanent residents and workers in essential sectors from entering the province. 

Europe 

If you're not a resident of Europe, you should definitely cross it off your travel list until at least July 1, and possibly all year, depending on where you are going. Even if you are...your options may be limited. It's a very mixed bag, to say the least. 

• As of June 3, you can travel between the UK and the EU; 

• Except for Spain, where there is a 14-day quarantine in force until at least July 1; 

• Germany has banned all non-European travelers until at least August 31; 

• Portugal also has a delayed reopening until July; 

• Denmark will open its borders on June 15 - but only to Germany, Iceland, and Norway; 

• If you're from Belgium, you've been blacklisted from Greece and Malta. 

It's actually much more complicated than even that.

Camping: Stay Local - Stay Simple 

The easiest solution to getting away from home for the summer of 2020 will be camping in all its forms, from luxury RVs to tents and spikes. How much you'll be able to enjoy depends on where you are. 

In Canada, some provinces - including Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick - allow camping in some parks and campsites. If virus stats are favourable, BC and Alberta are set to follow suit later in June or July. Camping is still prohibited in Quebec. 

In Ontario: 

• Provincial parks are still off limits; 

• Seasonal campers can stay in trailers or RVs overnight IF they can hook up to water & electricity services. 

• If you own a cottage, you can visit it, although health officials worry that local services may not be able to handle the influx of city folk. 

• Note that, if you are traveling between provinces to said cottage, you may be required to show proof of ownership. 

• AirBnb may be an option later in the summer throughout North America, although they are still banned in Ontario and Quebec. 

• The organization has updated many of their policies because of the situation. That includes banning all parties in AirBnb units.  

Travel by Air 

Air Canada, along with other carriers, is optimistically opening up schedules for the summer. Air Canada's schedule includes 97 destinations in a limited schedule. That will include some services to the U.S., Caribbean, South American, European and Pacific markets. 

Perhaps more importantly, the airline is introducing new measures to protect travelers against fluctuating conditions. Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada talks about it in a media release. 

"While the world is making great progress against COVID-19, we know we must remain vigilant, which includes being flexible. This is why we are introducing two new solutions for customers should their travel plans change. In addition to our regular goodwill policies, starting June 1 we will offer customers the choice of a travel voucher with no expiry date that is fully transferable or to convert their booking into Aeroplan Miles and get an additional 65% bonus miles. Both options, retroactive to March 1, give customers greater confidence and flexibility to plan and book travel with Air Canada," she said.

It offers prospective travelers more confidence they won't be left holding the bag if things go south again - figuratively speaking. The carrier is also implementing the new Air Canada CleanCare+ biosecurity program. 

"Air Canada CleanCare+ works through multi-layered measures that limit unnecessary interactions, require the use of personal protective equipment and employ state-of-the-art cleaning techniques onboard our aircraft. We have further committed to adopt new strategies and technologies as they become available," Guillemette says. 

The destinations will roll-out on a step by step schedule, including New York-LaGuardia, Washington-Dulles, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago in late May. Depending on changes in government restrictions, more US destinations may be added on June 22. 

Canadians who want to travel to the US should check out up to date information at the link first.

Overseas destinations are scheduled to begin opening up in June, including flights from Toronto to Frankfurt, London, Zurich, Tokyo and Tel Aviv; from Montreal to Frankfurt, London, Paris and Brussels; and from Vancouver to London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul. Increased international service is scheduled to open up later in June and July.