Canada one of the Safest Countries

Yes, you read that headline right. Canada has been declared one of the safest countries in the world in the new COVID-19 era.

A study conducted by a collective of commercial and non-profit organisations (known as Deep Knowledge Group) determined that, of the 200 countries and regions analysed against their COVID-19 Regional Safety Assessment Framework, Canada was the 12th safest country. 

The aim of the study was to ‘analyse and score different regions according to their overall level of stability, both in terms of optimizing current health and wellness outcomes of their population amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their prospects and likelihood of enabling geopolitical stabilization and economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.’

Of the four tiers established in the study, Canada joins 20 other countries – including Israel, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore – in the top tier, Tier 1, which were ranked highest in terms of regional safety and stability based on the study’s 130-parameter framework. The framework factors in things like: 

•     Quarantine efficiency
•     Government handling
•     Hospital availability
•     Protection against infection
•     Mortality rates

In short, Canada has handled the COVID-19 pandemic extremely well compared to other regions across the globe. The government took the necessary and proactive measures needed to keep the population as safe as possible, and there are the resources available throughout the country to adequately handle a pandemic of this scale. 

In terms of preparedness, then, we’ve been well prepared, and we consider ourselves extremely fortunate.

What does this mean for travel in Canada? 

Great question. Because we’ve been so proactive in our COVID-19 response (and because international borders continue to remain closed), the threat to Canadians is currently contained. Of course, we may see a spike in cases if the US-Canadian border reopens on July 21st as planned, but only time will tell.

For now, provinces are entering into new phases of their reopening strategies every day, and Canadians are beginning to venture out in search of the best domestic vacations to take this year.

This means that if you want to run with the horses and experience an ultra-private luxury getaway on the Siwash Lake Wilderness Ranch this year, you can do so. It means that if you want to endeavour on a journey to British Columbia’s rocky edge and immerse yourself in the remote wilderness of the Pacific Rim National Park, you can do so. 

While the world may not be your oyster, Canada certainly is. The only challenge, however, is that the summer season has been cut short and experiences are booking fast. Our first-class Canadian Rockies tour, for example, runs from July to October 2020, and there are only a few spaces left.

Looking ahead: Travel in 2021 and beyond

There’s no arguing that the world after the coronavirus will look extremely different. We have seen great change in the last few months, and slowly but surely, we’re entering into a whole new world. This world will be filled with extra precautions and safety measures to ensure we do not descend back into a state of pandemic. 

Much like the post-9/11 world tightened security measures at airports and train stations, the post-coronavirus world may involve more stringent flying rules, mandatory face masks and passenger health checks, and designated ‘safe seats’ to ensure safe distancing while on the move.

While this sounds a little overwhelming right now, there’s a clear travel benefit that is emerging: privacy. 

For those of you who are wanting to book onto the Rocky Mountaineer for the 2020 or 2021 season, then, you may find more space to relax between you and your fellow passenger. You may even experience a more exclusive level of service while you ride the rail through Whistler and to the wilds of Banff. And with any luck, you’ll be able to enjoy remote luxury in its purest form as you fly in to your very own mountain retreat adventure.

Domestic trips are not out of the question for 2020, but in true Canadian spirit, it requires you to be proactive and get booking, fast. Trips are filling up and sooner or later, we’ll burst into this ‘new normal’ and there will be no space left to experience Canada in all its newfound glory.

To find out more about how to book your vacation across Canada, talk to one of our Destination Specialists or view our experiences here.