Many travellers faced unprecedented challenges when Global Affairs Canada announced a ban on all non-essential travel due to the pandemic on March 13th. You may already be familiar with travel advisories, or perhaps you weren't aware of them until the announcement in March, but either way, it is important to understand advisories and how they might affect your travel plans. Although we are currently under a travel ban, you can still prepare yourself to understand how these advisories can affect any future travel plans you may have.

Global Affairs Canada issues travel advisories to inform travellers where it may not be safe, or where not to travel at all. These advisories are important for travellers to review because it directly affects safety, security and travel insurance coverage, all of which can change depending on the type of advisory issued.

Travel advisories may be issued due to natural disasters, volatile situations, weather-related events, or health risks (as we saw with COVID-19). Advisories usually apply to a country or territory, but if the safety and security situation of a particular region within a country or territory is assessed to be different than the rest, a separate level of risk would be applied to that region.

The different levels of risk:

Exercise normal security precautions.

• It's safe to travel. The safety and security situation is similar to that of Canada. You should take normal security precautions.

Exercise a high degree of caution.

• It's possible to travel to the area, but you should exercise a high degree of caution at all times as there are some safety and security concerns that could change with little notice. Travellers are advised to monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Avoid non-essential travel.

• It's advised not to travel to this area as there are specific security concerns that could put you at risk. If travellers are already in the country, they should determine if they truly need to stay and should consider leaving while it is safe to do so.

Avoid all travel.

• Do not travel to this area as there is an extreme risk to personal safety and security.

It is important to keep yourself informed before your trip and while travelling. Check for visa requirements and any restrictions or advisories in effect for your planned destination(s). A visit to the Global Affairs Canada website can provide more information about your destination. If a travel advisory is issued for your destination after you make your travel arrangements, but before departure or during your trip, it may affect your travel insurance. If the advisory for your travel destination says to take normal security precautions or a high degree of caution, your travel insurance would not be affected. However, if for example the travel advisory from Global Affairs Canada were to change due to a weather event or other risk and it changes to advise: avoid all travel or avoid non-essential travel to the destination, your travel insurance coverage may be affected if you were to decide to go because you knowingly put yourself at risk. Make sure you understand any terms and conditions in the policy. You can talk to a CAA travel insurance expert in order to learn more about your policy and how it is affected by travel advisories.

Many of us are staying home in Manitoba for the foreseeable future. Hopefully we can all take advantage of this opportunity to explore our own province and when we get the 'go ahead', to venture across our beautiful country. When the time is right, and it is safe to travel once again, CAA Travel Insurance³ will be here for you. Until then, practice social distancing, follow the Province's guidelines about travel within Manitoba, and most of all, stay safe.

Note: This information was accurate at the time of writing this article, and is subject change.

During these uncertain times many of us are concerned for our families, and that includes our furry family members. There are still many questions left to be answered, but some initial research provides information on whether animals can spread the disease, what species are most impacted, and how you can keep you and your pet safe during the pandemic.

Our partners at Pets Plus Us have compiled some information from the veterinary community regarding pets and coronavirus.

Eye-opening facts:

• Mental illness will affect 1 in 5 Canadians in their lifetime
• Mental illness affects people of all ages, education levels, incomes and cultures

Mental health is at long last being recognized as a health issue like any other. More people are talking about it and the push to destigmatize mental illness is on. In the past, many people suffered in silence, but now people are better able to get the help they need. There is treatment available for almost every known mental health condition.

While government health insurance plans may not cover everything, individual insurance like CAA Health & Dental⁵ plans can help, so people receive the type and amount of care that’s right for them. All plans come with the Healthcare Online app, which connects you instantly via text or chat with Canadian medical professionals specializing in Mental Wellness.