Most Canadians sticking closer to home, shifting travel plans due to coronavirus pandemic

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Has COVID-19 made you change your travel plans? If you answered “yes,” it turns out you’re in good company.

Nearly three-quarters of Canadians admit they have changed their summer vacation plans because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an Ipsos survey done for Toyota Canada.

“With a desire to explore locally and reconnect with family, friends and nature, the day trip has emerged as this summer’s new preferred getaway,” the survey reads.

The majority of respondents — 70 per cent — say they’re comfortable travelling by car, but only 24 per cent of Canadians feel the same way about catching a flight right now.

Close to half of people polled in this country have plans for at least one day trip over the next two months, but most people are opting to stay a little closer to home this summer.

Only about four-in-10 Canadians are comfortable leaving their own province, while just 21 per cent say they would visit the U.S. in the near future.

“Of those planning to hit the road this summer, most are opting to stay within a 100km radius of home, making day trips the new preferred excursion,” the survey notes.

The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to non-essential traffic since March in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Travel by region

People in the Atlantic have the highest number of trips planned this summer, according to the survey.

Half of respondents in Atlantic provinces are planning a trip over the next couple months.

However, it’s people in Quebec who feel most comfortable leaving their own city or town, with 45 per cent of Quebecers saying they’d even venture out of province.

Heading farther away from home is something people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba appear to be most relaxed about, with 48 per cent saying leaving their provinces is OK.

Meanwhile, British Columbians appear to be taking the most precautions while driving, with 78 per cent of people surveyed saying they’re limiting contact with people outside of their “inner circle.”

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