Government urges Canadians to stay cautious in summer travel advisory
As Canadians get ready for the busy summer travel season, the latest travel advisory is urging caution and encouraging people to plan ahead when travelling abroad.
On Tuesday, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) published a summer travel advisory warning Canadians of how the war between Iran and the United States could present challenges.
“Fuel shortages may lead to flight cancellations and disrupt access to local goods and services at your destination,” warns GAC. “Your travel plans could be disrupted if you are travelling to the Middle East, going through the region or even if you are not travelling to the Middle East. You should carefully assess the risks of travelling abroad under the current circumstances and plan accordingly.”
Canadians are urged to check the situation at their destination both before departure and when they return. Before your trip, make sure to check the latest travel advice and advisories for your destination or any transit points to evaluate possible risks.
GAC outlines ways to protect yourself and your loved ones ahead of your trip.
Make sure you have travel insurance
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Before you even pack your bags, read over the terms of your travel insurance to verify that you’ll be covered for instances like trip cancellations and interruptions. It’s always important to check the fine print for possible limits or exclusions in your policy. For example, Manulife recently updated its policy stating that fuel shortages are now “known events.” This means that policies purchased on May 5 and after will no longer qualify for disruption benefits as a result of fuel shortages.
Plan your finances
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The travel advisory urges Canadians to prepare financially in case their trip gets unexpectedly extended or they end up stranded abroad. Canadians should bring enough money and extra medication to cover longer stays. The Canadian government doesn’t provide financial assistance, and travellers are responsible for the cost of unexpected situations.
Ensure you have the necessary documents
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When planning your trip, check the entry and exit requirements for your destination, as requirements vary — you might need a visa or an electronic travel authorization. For example, Canadian citizens require an ETA to travel to the U.K.
Also, ensure that your passport and other travel documents are valid for the required time, should you need to extend your stay and make sure to keep them in a safe place.
Need a new passport before your trip? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently hiked processing fees.
Be aware of risks during hurricane season
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The weather could wreak havoc on your travel plans and even pose a serious safety risk.
That’s why it’s important to keep that in mind when travelling, especially if you’re heading to areas prone to severe storms. Hurricanes and storms can be deadly and damage infrastructure, cutting off some areas for extended periods, leaving travellers stranded. It can also disrupt medical care access, transportation, power distribution, and telecommunications networks. It can also affect the supply of water, food, and fuel.
Check travel advice and advisories to see if it’s safe to travel to your destination during a certain period, and ensure you have travel insurance. It’s also a good idea to leave copies of important travel documents with someone you trust at home.
Register online
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Canadians heading abroad can sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA), a free and confidential service that notifies Canadian citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or at home.
If you need emergency consular assistance while travelling, contact the nearest Government of Canada office or reach out to Global Affairs Canada by phone, SMS, Signal, WhatsApp, or email.
“Travelling is a personal choice, and Canadians must make informed decisions, particularly those that affect their safety and well-being while abroad,” reads the statement. “The Government of Canada’s ability to provide assistance may be limited.”