Travel.. Covid and Quarantine!!
Bears
Here is our experience with travelling to the Florida and jumping on a 10 day cruise. Trip home and crossing back into Canada with 2 out of 6 catching covid.
We knew the chances when we decided to rebook our Cruise we planned 2 years ago and rolled over 3 times. But we wanted freedom from the communist Country of Canada and constant lockdowns. We also had to take the cruise before April 2022 or lose our large deposits.
We were surprised to see the welcome banner as we crossed into Florida via the I-95 corridor. Canada needs to embrace the return of Tourism like America does!!
To enter into the USA we did not have to take a covid test prior to arrival at the border. Nor did we have to prove vaccinations. We were all vaccinated.
It took us a bit to get use to not having to wear the masks but we always used the hand cleaners when available. In Orlando (CVS) we took a rapid antigen test required for us to get onto the ship. *** We were tourists in another country and the test was FREE for us.
When we walked the plank onto the ship, we showed our free negative test and proof of being double vaccinated. Once we were on the ship masks were not required... at all. The crew wore masks at all time.
The Casino was open for business with no restrictions. I played cards with full tables. No masks and all enjoying ourselves. Was a great time.
Had to sanitize before entry into the buffet. The kitchen crew would fill our plates at each station. Went fine as far as I was concerned. Very clean.
The islands we stopped at were happy to have tourists back and the restrictions were wear a mask if you want to. Up to the Tourist.
At the end of the 10 day cruise we were tested again before getting off the ship. We all tested negative at this time. We took our time to travel back to Canada. Via Florida Pan Handle, Alabama, Mississippi and New Orleans, via I-10. Was an awesome drive. Next morning stopped at a Mcdonalds in Louisianna for breakfast and was on our way North via I-55.
We were tempted to visit friends on the way home, Screwball was 1 of them. But we decided to not visit anyone just in case. We had no symptoms but wanted to refrain from visiting just in case. We arrived in Duluth. Stayed and had a test for us all booked in International Falls for 1:00 pm the next day. got to testing and she said results in an hour. After we picked the results up we found out 2 of the 6 were positive. I was negative.
Lady gave us a signed form for the border with the results. We also had the arrive can app ready to go. Got to the booth where the border agent was and he saw the results. AQcted like we had the plague. We thought it was an over reaction. Sent us to the far drive through and made us wait for 45 minutes. Came over with their masks and stood at a distance and handed our paperwork back. We had to wait for the government of Canada to phone us while we waited at the border. Another 1/2 hour wait. She phoned and we had our instruction which were as follows.
So after waiting at the Border crossing for 2 hours we got our instructions along with 3 Switch Health PCR covid tests, 2 for for me and 1 for the positive case in my vehicle. The test kits were given to us by the border agent.
We were told that I had to self isolate and quarantine for 14 days in my house. Person with me who tested positive was given a 10 day isolation period. We were told drive home. Straight home no stops for groceries. Could get gas by credit cards at pump and stop once at a drive through for food or beverage.... we chose to stop at TIM HORTONS for a Dark Roast coffee. Take no offense but could not get a good coffee in the states.
So we started our 2.5 hour trec North via #502 to Vermilion Bay.
*** once home we were told not to leave our yards. If we did and were caught by what they called the Quarantine Officers, we would instanly be fined $750.00 first offense for breaking the quarantine act. $7000.00 for 2nd offense.
Next morning, 9:00 am, we got a call from a quarantine officer. We were told once again what we cannot do. Asked if we had enough food for 14 days and how were we to get fresh groceries. We had no choice to tell her our plan or we would be considered breaking our Quarantine requirements. We told her our plan. She told me to take a PCR test via the internet at 10:00 am with a Switch Health nurse watching on my computer. Did the test as required and had to organize pickup by Overnight Purolator. Haha, over night here took 3 days for pick up. Test goes bad after 72 hours.
My wife was told the morning the quarantine officer contacted us that she did not have to take anymore tests as she already tested positive. I had to take one more on day 8.
DANG! That sounds like Nazi Germany............... : (
Totalitarian Communism is the virus. Covid is just how they are shoving it up our backsides…
I hope the 2 positive cases in your group don’t have serious symptoms, and the rest of you stay negative. Canada is not a place I’ll be visiting any time soon.
Matt
So five days after I took the first PCR, I got an email saying that the test took too long to get to Missisauga Ontario ( dont know how to spell city). The test went bad. So took test on the 17th. Test was announced bad by email on the 22nd. Had to take another test on the 23rd, my day 8 test. Did it again via the computer. Sent test away on the 23rd via overnight Purolator. We were able to track the purolator test via cell phone. On the 26th the test was still stuck in Winnipeg.
Had another phone call by the Quarantine officer on Christmas day morning at 9:00 am. She went over what I cannot do and the fines etc. She then said my wife gets out of self isolation on the 26th. Me the 29th or so I thought. By the way. My day 8 test still has not arrived in Missasauga on Jan 3rd 2022. Theres more: But after I get back from Tim Hortons.
LMAO, I KNEW Tim Horton's was your first and only stop! I am having issues calling you, can get cell phone to go through but not the camp number.
I'll phone you after coffee Brian. Cant find my cell phone LOL
Damn good coffee at Tim Hortons! Must have something special in it… Heroine??? Damn I miss Canada!
"But we wanted freedom from the communist Country of Canada and constant lockdowns."
I had to laugh at that when I read that line. Then I read your ongoing trials and tribulations on your return.....what a cluster! Reading below makes me think you should pull up stakes and live in the U.S and go for dual citizenship if you could........maybe northern WI or MI.
"*** once home we were told not to leave our yards. If we did and were caught by what they called the Quarantine Officers, we would instanly be fined $750.00 first offense for breaking the quarantine act. $7000.00 for 2nd offense."
If you went down I-95 and took I-4 to Orlando....you were about 15 minutes from my southern command center.
The pic with of the city with the two large mountain peaks.....that looks like St Lucia.
I guarantee you if moving to the US Chris is not moving to Northern WI, Mi, etc. Moving to Florida and opening a Tim Horton's and that is bank!
Ya Brian, I all ready have a place picked out for a Tim Hortons on Irlo Bronson BLVD in Kissimmee, next to Old Town. That's my next adventure!!
So, after I did my day 8 test I had a question which I asked the Switch Health Nurse that was watching me do the test. She said she couldn't answer the question and told me to contact The Ontario Ministry Of Health. I did and was a big mistake!!
When I talked to the Ontario Health lady I said I did not believe I should have to be in quarantine for as long as they said I had to. Here's her response: She said that my wife's last day of possibly infecting anyone was the 26th of December. Health lady said that because she can infect me on the 26th that I had to start my quarantine counting 10 days from the 26th of December... WHAT!!
When I got off the phone I contacted the others that were in quarantine and said he needed to contact the same person. at Ontario Health. He did and was not too impressed as he got the same requirements I did. He was taking the quarantine a lot harder than I was.
So afternoon on the 29th I said I will not quarantine any longer. The first health people we talked to at the border said 14 days so that was what we all were going to stick to. Also decided not to ask any more questions LOL.
So, we had some Rapid Antigen test delivered to our door. I wanted a test before venturing out to guess where?? Well, while I was taking the test I shoved the swab too far up my nose and ended up with a "Nose Bleed From Hell"... thought I was going to need a transfusion. It was bad!!
After it stopped and got cleaned up lol we jumped in the truck and drove out the drivee way. Stopped at the end and stared in each direction for anyone watching. All clear. Drove through town out to the highway and drove to Dryden for a coffee. Got about 1 km and looked in rear view mirror and saw Cop lights a blaring and sirens. I instantly thought how the hell!! I pulled over and they blew past me. LOL. Was I paranoid, maybe!!
This is madness. I do believe there’s a chunk of the population that is enjoying wielding the control, and sadly there’s a chunk of the population that finds comfort in being controlled.
I don’t fit into either camp.
I haven’t been able to visit my family in China for two years. Still no foreign nationals allowed. The wife went back for her daughter’s wedding but had to quarantine in a hotel for 3 weeks. The cost for everything went from $540 round trip to $10,000+. Had a new son-in-law for all that time, who speaks English, and I barely know him. No end in sight.
From: Pat Lefemine04-Jan-22 This is madness. I do believe there’s a chunk of the population that is enjoying wielding the control, and sadly there’s a chunk of the population that finds comfort in being controlled. I don’t fit into either camp.
AMEN Pat- same here!
Sorry to hear about your ordeal Chris! And your family members who contracted COVID.
I share in your frustration and am outraged at how our governments are handling this whole mess! YOU REALLY CAN'T MAKE THIS %$#@ UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : (
"Also decided not to ask any more questions LOL."
^.....ha.....very teachable moment for all of us!
It's a wonder they don't put a electronic ankle bracelet on people:) Thier going way overboard IMO!
Wow we thought we had it bad.Was it worth it?
Well, we enjoyed ourselves South of the Border. Looking back, now that it's all over, still glad we went on vacation.
JL, it was St. Lucia.
Spike, I thought that looked familiar.
Spike - my wife experienced similar nonsense when she traveled up to Nova Scotia for the birth of our granddaughter. Sadly many up there agree with the govt control. Chinada for sure.
We finally got my test back... of course negative result.
Positive cases never got covid on the ship but from drive home. Have an idea where it might have happened. Neither positive cases had any symptoms. The 20 day quarantine is now officially over!!
Good old Old Town. I love that place especially the car shows.
Hopefully be living somewhere down there in the next two years.
So, apparently they sent me another PCR test after the day 1 test was damaged when they received it in Missisauga. We used our Street number at the border for any correspondence. The street number is on Cabin #8 facing the Street. Purolator apparently delivered the new test kit over a week ago but set it in the snow in front of the cabin with the street # on it, in a snow storm. We live 2 buildings down from the cabin. Found the test today and never even knew I was to take another test. Quite a cluster if you ask me!!
