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Travelling this summer? Here’s what you need to know as vaccine mandates lift

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As COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease, many Canadians are planning to travel this summer. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a trip.

What are the latest changes?

Effective June 20, passengers no longer need to be fully vaccinated — with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one of Johnson & Johnson’s — to board a plane or train in Canada.

The federal government is also lifting vaccination requirements for federally regulated workers, allowing airline and airport employees on unpaid leave because of their vaccination status to return to work.

Ottawa will bring back the mandates if the COVID-19 situation changes for the worse, according to Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.

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Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, has said it’s the “right time” to end the travel mandates, because they no longer serve their intended purpose of preventing COVID-19 transmission on transportation.

 

‘Right time’ to end vaccine travel mandates, says specialist

 

It’s reasonable for Ottawa to drop the COVID-19 vaccine mandates for travel, says infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, noting two doses doesn’t prevent Omicron transmission.

What stays the same?

Vaccinated Canadians returning from abroad must still meet entry requirements, including using the ArriveCAN mobile app or desktop version to submit their travel- and COVID-19-related information within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada.

The unvaccinated must still meet additional testing and quarantine requirements or face a fine up to $5,000 or criminal prosecution.

Masks remain mandatory for those boarding planes or trains.

Will this fix the airport delays?

Some industry groups and politicians have blamed the recent chaos at some Canadian airports on COVID-related border restrictions, while government officials say the delayed or cancelled flights and hours-long security lineups are because of staffing shortages.

LeBlanc has said lifting the vaccine mandates won’t immediately affect airport delays.

However, he and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra have said the government has taken steps to address the problems, including hiring more security screening personnel and adding more customs kiosks.

What about monkeypox?

Health officials are encouraging Canadians to take extra precautions, because of the potential threat of monkeypox, if travelling to 31 countries including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Mexico, Spain and Germany. The “level two” notice, issued on June 7 by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is one step below a recommendation to avoid non-essential travel.

It’s rare to see outbreaks of the virus outside of West and Central Africa, but cases have cropped up around the world in recent weeks. At least 123 have been confirmed in Canada.

PHAC says anyone with symptoms or a diagnosis of monkeypox should delay their travel and isolate. The virus is known for causing telltale skin lesions, but often initially shows up as a flu-like illness.

The agency says travellers may be subject to isolation or other measures to limit the spread of the virus upon arrival at their destination. It also cautions that those who go abroad could have limited access to appropriate care if they become ill and could face delays returning home.

How do I protect myself?

Many precautions against COVID-19 are also effective against monkeypox, says respirologist Dr. Samir Gupta, though the latter spreads more via direct contact than through the air.

“You really want to focus on preventing contact, washing hands — even wearing gloves,” he told CBC News.

Still, wearing a mask is a good idea as some studies have suggested the virus is capable of spreading through the air, he said.

PHAC recommends that travellers consult a health-care professional or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before their trip. It also says travellers can lower their risk by being “particularly vigilant” at any large parties or gatherings.

 

A doctor’s tips to avoid monkeypox while travelling

Washing your hands and wearing a mask are good precautions for travellers trying to avoid monkeypox, says respirologist Dr. Samir Gupta.

When will my passport be renewed?

Long lineups have become common outside passport offices from B.C. to Montreal, because of what Service Canada called an “unprecedented surge” in applications as travel reopens after two years of pandemic restrictions.

Some people have had to reschedule trips because of the bottleneck.

Service Canada has said it’s brought on 600 new employees to help.

All passport service counters were reopened last month, and others have been added at more than 300 centres.

Based on projections from early June, 75 per cent of applicants should receive their passport within 40 working days, according to a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada. Ninety-six per cent of those who submit an application in person at a specialized site should receive theirs within 10 working days.

From left, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announce the changes in Ottawa. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

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Begin Your Musical Journey With Guitar Lessons

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Beginning a guitar lesson will likely start off by asking about their goals and what they would like to learn, before teaching basic chords and the universal strumming pattern.

Understanding that mastering any instrument takes time is crucial, but consistent practice will yield tangible results within weeks or two.

  1. Know the Instrument

As you embark on your guitar journey, it is crucial that you establish the essential foundational knowledge. This includes becoming acquainted with your instrument and how it operates; having this understanding will allow for improved playing performance and lessen frustration.

Study the names and placement of strings on the fretboard, as well as chords; chords are groups of notes you strum together to produce harmony; more chords you know means more songs you can play! Open chords such as Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd or Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival are easy-to-play examples of open chords that use open strings with fretted ones on the first three frets; these chords may help get you started playing more advanced songs!

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Fretting and unfretting each chord to become familiar with its shape will help build strength and confidence in your fingers, making chord playing more natural and intuitive.

  1. Know the Basics

Once you arrive for your first lesson, your instructor will ask for some information about yourself to gain a sense of what goals and learning styles you wish to accomplish through guitar lessons.

At first, you’ll learn to hold and number each string on the guitar; picking individual strings while developing an understanding of how much pressure must be applied in order to play each note is also taught during these early lessons.

Soon you will start strumming along to songs and developing an understanding of rhythm. While this process can seem cumbersome and time-consuming, keep in mind that professional guitarists spend hours each day working on developing their rhythm skills! Once you find your groove with playing chords you will soon be on your way to creating music that uplifts and motivates! Although this might take a while it will ultimately pay off!

  1. Set Goals

Once you’ve built rapport with your instructor, it is crucial that you discuss what your goals for guitar are. This will enable them to tailor a practice routine just for you that will help realize your musical ambitions.

Beginner students of guitar can sometimes have unrealistic expectations that can undermine their motivation to practice guitar. Expectations such as effortlessly smooth chord changes or effortless strumming can become discouraging when they don’t come immediately.

Your first objective should be getting your fretting hand fingers to form simple chords together with ease, taking time and practice. Your fingertips may hurt until calluses form; don’t be discouraged though as without hard work there will never be success in anything!

Setting specific guitar goals will enable you to monitor your progress and achievements more easily. A good goal can be as straightforward as “Improvise a slow blues song using Eric Clapton’s style within 3 months”. Tying these goals to rewards and discussing them with your instructor will keep you accountable and help ensure success.

  1. Practice

No matter whether it’s scales, chord progressions or songs – knowing your goals and practicing to reach them is key to reaching them. Achieve success requires having a clear image of what success looks like (such as being able to improvise over a slow blues in Eric Clapton’s style within three months) as well as tracking progress towards that goal.

To ensure you meet your goals, it’s essential to create a detailed plan and set aside specific times each week that you can dedicate to practicing. Discuss your objectives with your instructor to establish what a realistic timeline might look like for achieving musical aspirations.

Take steps outside your comfort zone during practice sessions to keep motivated and expand your guitar abilities in novel ways. Try playing songs in different keys than usual or adding some advanced chords to your repertoire. This may keep your practice sessions interesting and help to keep you moving forward!

Begin your musical journey with guitar lessons and discover the joy of playing your favorite songs on this versatile instrument. With expert instruction, you’ll learn the skills you need to play your favorite pieces and express yourself creatively through music. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, guitar lessons can help you take your playing to the next level.

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India’s foreign minister says he briefed US officials on Canada row – Al Jazeera English

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CTV National News: Canada's rock music legends | CTV News – CTV News Montreal

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