President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President As we go to press, the Canada-U.S. land border remains closed to non-essential travel. Officially, the land border remains closed until September 21, but there is every indication that this date will be extended. We understand that many of you are understandably not planning a trip south this winter, while others are anxious to cross the border to check in on family, friends and their winter properties. Our goal at the Canadian Snowbird Association is to ensure that our members have the most current and accurate information available so that you can make informed decisions about how and when to safely travel to your winter homes. There seems to be continued confusion around the status of the border with the United States. As Ron Steeves discusses in his Government Relations Report, air travel to the United States is still permissible. The ban on non-essential travel covers the land border between Canada and the United States, as well as air, sea and rail travel into Canada. Non-essential travel by air and sea into the United States is still permitted at this time. Despite the pandemic, low interest rates appear to be fueling a boost in Florida home sales. Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages were averaging 3.16% in July, which represents a 40-year low. After a dramatic tail-off between March and May, new pending sales are increasing and real estate values are rising across Florida. New pending sales of single-family homes were up by 23.2% this June compared to last June and new pending sales of condo-townhouse units are up by 19.8%, according to Florida realtors. Also in June, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was US$282,000, up by 4.4% from the previous year according to Florida realtors. June’s statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was US$210,000, up by 7.7% over the June 2019 figure. Inmuch of Arizona, real estate demand is also high while housing inventory remains low. In the Phoenix area, house closings fromMay to June increased by 55%, which represents the single greatest month-over-month increase since 2001. Though both Florida and Arizona appear to be strong sellers’ markets, historically low interest rates are great news for buyers as well. Having said that, continued high rates of unemployment and the eventual expiration of several federal and state moratoriums on foreclosures may well lead to a decline in housing prices within the next 12-18 months. As always, we will be keeping a close eye on the situation. We are pleased to report that most Canadian provinces have now eased their restrictions on the supply of prescription medication. These restrictions were introduced in March and allowed pharmacies to hand out only 30 days of medication, instead of the typical supply of 90-100 days. These measures were originally implemented to prevent drug shortages due to increased demand and stockpiling at the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak. Now that supplies have stabilized, residents in most provinces should be able to obtain their regular supply and travel allotments of prescription medication. Residents of Saskatchewan can now access their personal health information online. “MySaskHealthRecord” is a secure website that enables Saskatchewan residents to quickly and easily access their personal health information. Those who choose to sign up can access their personal health information including laboratory test results, medical imaging reports and immunization history, as well as a personal history of in-patient, outpatient and emergency visits to a health-care facility. It also serves as a personal health summary that keeps track of allergies, family history and medical conditions. Virtual health records seemmore useful than ever, given the current situation with COVID-19. You can read more about this initiative by visitingwww.ehealthsask.ca. In March, the state of Hawaii imposed a 14-day quarantine for all out-of-state travellers. Starting on September 1, all “transPacific” travellers − including Canadians − will be allowed to visit Hawaii without having to undergo quarantine, as long as they provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival. Canadian airlines will begin to resume flights to Hawaii during the first week of September. Canadians returning from Hawaii and all other international destinations must still observe the mandatory 14-day quarantine when they return to Canada. Whether you are travelling this winter or remaining home in Canada, please remember to maintain a two-metre distance from those not in your household or social bubble, wear face coverings when appropriate, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and continue to disinfect high-touch surfaces. We will get through this. Stay safe! 12 | www.snowbirds.org
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