Kim Cress receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Arizona.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
A local snowbird facing new quarantine measures when he returns home says the federal government’s decision to change the rules is unfair.
When Kim Cress left for Arizona in November he was fully prepared to spend two weeks in quarantine in his own home when he returned.
The federal government announcement on Feb. 12 that now includes travellers having to pay to stay in government approved isolation hotels plus any associated cost, made him feel “snowbirds” were being punished for having travelled.
“I’m going to get you,” is how Cress describes it. “I can’t see any reasoning behind it other than making it hard for the snowbirds.”
Being in a gated community in Arizona, Cress says he has been able to get in plenty of golf while down south. Being there also afforded the opportunity to get a COVID vaccination, which he says was easy to do. He looked online at the list of pharmacies, selected one offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, made an appointment and received the shot. Anyone over the age of 18 qualifies for the vaccine whether American or not, he said.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose, which adds to Cress’s sense of frustration. He is vaccinated but will have to adhere to restrictions and hotel expenses to return home.
When he left for Arizona in November it wasn’t possible to drive into the U.S. under the travel rules. It was, however, possible to fly.
When he returns, should he drive and enter through a land border, the process is a little easier.
Cress says at the border he would have to provide a negative test (done in the preceding 72 hours), do another COVID test and he will then be allowed to go quarantine in his own home in Medicine Hat.
He will then have to submit a self-administered test on the 10th day of the mandatory quarantine, regardless of how he crosses the border. Self-testing kits are available at arrival points and contain all the necessary information on how to “collect, store and ship” a sample, according to travel.gc.ca. Finding a vehicle to rent for the return journey poses a few problems, but they are not insurmountable.
Cress is considering flying to Great Falls. Renting a car to drive across the border is difficult, but renting a U-Haul vehicle is easier, he says.
Cress is also concerned that after making his arrangements the rules could change again.
