Evan Rachkovsky, a spokesperson for the Canadian Snowbird Association, said his group has emailed more than 100,000 members with up-to-date information on Canadian government recommendations, including that they will be expected to self-isolate upon return.
“We are doing everything that we can do to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus,” Rachkovsky said when asked how members were receiving the instructions, adding that the group has been providing the details about self-isolation for more than a week.
“The response has been positive in the sense that … they’re obviously being cautious, and they want to return home as quickly as possible,” he said.
He did not have information on whether any members have tested positive for the virus.
The Canada Border Services Agency announced new coronavirus screening questions Monday after being criticized for an apparently haphazard approach to evaluating inbound travelers for possible symptoms and to advising them on the strongly encouraged 14-day self-isolation period upon arrival.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said every Canadian returning home — including snowbirds arriving by car — will receive information telling them to self-isolate. “People who … maybe spent the winter down in Florida or in Arizona, many of them will be driving back,” he said Monday. “That same information will be provided to them as they cross into Canada ensuring that they understand the need to self-isolate for 14 days.”
Florida and Arizona are the most popular states among snowbirds, Rachkovsky said. St. Petersburg and Clearwater boast “several thousand” Canadians come wintertime, and many also flock to the Phoenix and Mesa areas of Arizona, he said.
It’s difficult to estimate how many snowbirds will return to Canada in the coming days, Rachkovsky said. “But you’re definitely dealing with hundreds of thousands of people“ who are being asked to leave as quickly as possible, he added.
Source: politico.com
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