Why some snowbirds are still heading south this winter despite COVID-19 and a closed land border - CBC.ca

Despite the U.S. having the world's highest number of COVID-19 cases, Canadian snowbird Elizabeth Evans is determined to head south next month. That's because her only winter home is parked at an RV resort in Williston, Florida.

"I don't have a [winter] home here," said Evans, who's currently living in her summer trailer at a campground in Niagara Falls. "I don't have any winter clothes."

Evans is one of a number of snowbirds set on going to the U.S. this winter, despite the ongoing pandemic. But getting there may not be easy: To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Canada-U.S. land border remains closed to non-essential traffic until at least Oct. 21.

Evans believes the closure will be extended, so she plans to fly to Florida on Oct. 30 — two days before the campground where she's living closes for the season. 

"There's no way I am staying here," she said. "Even if I had to get on the plane buck-naked, I'd be on it."

Elizabeth Evans and friend Susan Walley at at RV resort in Williston, Florida, where Evans lives during the winters. (Submitted by Elizabeth Evans)

The Canadian Snowbird Association — which has more than 110,000 members — said it's hard to gauge at this point what percentage of its members will actually head south this winter. 

Some snowbirds have already nixed their plans, while others are undecided. 

"A significant portion of them are in a holding pattern, just to see what shakes out at the land border," said spokesperson Evan Rachkovsky.

WATCH | Alberta snowbirds planning to spend winter at home:

Snowbirds who would normally be preparing to head off for warmer climates are now stuck in Alberta preparing for winter thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. 3:32

Some experts predict the Canada-U.S. land border could stay closed to non-essential travel until the new year. 

Although Canadians can still fly to the U.S., Rachkovsky said many snowbirds won't go without their cars but can't afford the big fees — between $1,500 and $6,000 — to ship their vehicles.

"It's not really an option for some of them to fly."

Elizabeth Evans' RV, which is parked year-round at an RV resort in Williston, Florida. (Submitted by Elizabeth Evans)

Evans is one of those who would typically drive down to the U.S., which allowed her to transport her household supplies in her truck. She said she's can't ship her truck packed with luggage, so this year she's leaving it behind, along with many household necessities. 

But she's still bent on going to the U.S., even as health experts warn of a possible surge of COVID-19 cases in the fall. 

Evans said she plans to take precautionary measures such as social distancing and keep to her RV resort. 

"I will take the risk because I know how to protect myself, and everybody — at least in my resort — follows the rules," she said. "I'm more concerned about falling off my bicycle than I am of COVID."

Escape winter while isolating

Travel insurance broker Martin Firestone said so far less than 10 per cent of his snowbird clients have made firm plans to go south this winter. He said those who are going say they will aim to avoid crowds, just as they would in Canada during the pandemic. 

"They're going to be prisoners in their developments or their condos," said Firestone, with Travel Secure in Toronto. "They're saying, 'I guess I'd rather sit down in Florida than sit here in Ontario and face the harsh climate.'"

Perry Cohen said he and his wife, Rose, plan to take all necessary precautions when they head to their condo this winter in Deerfield Beach, Florida. (Submitted by Perry Cohen)

That about sums up Perry Cohen's itinerary. The snowbird — who is one of Firestone's clients — aims to head to his condo in Deerfield Beach, Fla., in early December as long as the COVID-19 case count remains low in that area.

Cohen, who lives in Toronto, said he plans to take the necessary precautions and stick to his gated community — all while enjoying the warm weather. 

"Why would I want to be cooped up here when I can be there, out in the sunshine, in the fresh air?" he said. "You have more positives to go than to stay here."

Cohen also plans to fly to Florida and has a car parked at his condo. He said an added reassurance for him is that he can now purchase COVID-19 medical insurance — just in case he or his wife did get the virus. 

"I like a complete package to know I'm looked after [if], God forbid, I have a problem."

COVID-19 medical coverage returns

Several travel insurance providers recently restarted selling COVID-19 medical coverage, after dropping it in March when the pandemic began its global spread 

Firestone said that even with the coverage, snowbirds could face problems if the community where they're living has an outbreak. 

"The hospitals will get filled, the intensive care units will get filled, and then the fun will begin, regardless of whether you have insurance or not."

Cohen argues Canada could also experience overrun hospitals. Currently, COVID-19 case numbers are surging in Ontario and Quebec. 

"You take a chance and go, because we can have the same problem here."

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2020-09-30 08:00:00Z
CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzL2NhbmFkYS11LXMtYm9yZGVyLXNub3diaXJkcy1mbG9yaWRhLXdpbnRlci1jb3ZpZC0xOS1pbnN1cmFuY2UtMS41NzQyMDk30gEgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JjLmNhL2FtcC8xLjU3NDIwOTc