Category: border restrictions

Research Reveals the Human Cost of COVID Border Restrictions

Evidence of the substantial human cost of COVID-19 travel and border restrictions has emerged in new reports, particularly for the tens of thousands of international travellers who were stranded overseas and separated from their loved ones for over 18 months during the pandemic. Lead author Pippa McDermid from the University of New South Wales said…


Public Health Agency Claims Mandatory ArriveCan Saved Travellers Time

A Public Health Agency report submitted to a House of Commons committee says that the mandatory ArriveCan app travellers were required to use when entering and leaving Canada, under threat of fines if they didn’t, saved travellers “about five minutes” at border crossings. “ArriveCan was a necessary component of Canada’s measures to prevent the introduction and…


Mix of Joy and Frustration for Separated Families as Canada Lifts Border Restrictions

Some families with loved ones in Canada and the United States are ecstatic about Ottawa’s decision to lift border restrictions, since they will be able to reunite. But beneath the joy there is deep frustration that has built up over the past years and the sentiment that the battle is only half-won, as the U.S….


Mix of Joy, Frustration for Separated Families as Canada Lifts Border Restrictions

Some families with loved ones in Canada and the United States are ecstatic about Ottawa’s decision to lift border restrictions, since they will be able to reunite. But beneath the joy there is deep frustration that has built up over the past years and the sentiment that the battle is only half-won, as the U.S….


‘About Political Control’: Alberta Cabinet Minister on ArriveCan and Border Vaccine Requirements

An Alberta cabinet minister says the federal government’s vaccine requirements at the border and use of the ArriveCan app are not based on science, but rather on political opportunism. “It never was about science but about political control and power,” said Alberta’s Labour and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu in a Twitter post on Sept. 20….


Australia’s NT May Soon Scrap Mask Mandate, Indigenous Health Service Concerned

Northern Territory (NT) Chief Minister Michael Gunner has indicated that the Australian territory’s indoor mask mandate might not be in place much longer. Gunner told ABC Radio Darwin on Feb. 22 that he couldn’t give an exact date, but the mandate, which has been in place since New Year’s Eve, is likely to be removed…


Australia’s NT Leader Explains Why Border Restrictions Dropped Despite Former Tough Stance

Northern Territory (NT) Chief Minister Michael Gunner has provided an explanation as to why entry restrictions to the Australian territory have been removed despite having previously taken a hard line on COVID-19 vaccination status and testing. In a statement released over the weekend, Gunner said that the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus is now…


Western Australia to Tear Down Hard Border as Omicron Spreads

Western Australia will be removing its hard border on Mar. 3 and allowing interstate travel, with the state government admitting rapidly growing Omicron cases were becoming harder to control. Western Australia is the last state to release its border controls as other parts of the country begin to open up and ease restrictions. New compulsory…


Unvaccinated Australian Denied Entry to See Wife Before Brain Surgery, Allowed in After Public Outcry

A Western Australia (WA) man has only been allowed to support his wife before a serious brain operation after a concerned crowd gathered outside the hospital entrance to show support. Under the WA Labor government, proof of vaccination is required to enter restaurants, gyms, theatres—and all other hospitality, fitness, and entertainment venues. Unvaccinated adults looking…


Hundreds of West Australian Kids Sent Home From School After 3 COVID Cases Recorded

Positive COVID cases in three schools have forced hundreds of students and dozens of staff in Western Australia (WA) to self isolate for two weeks—just days within the start of the school year. A Year 12 student at Harrisdale Senior High School, a Year 11 student at Corpus Christi College, and a teacher at Winterfold…