People in Saskatchewan are once again hopping on planes to get away for a tropical vacation.
There hasn’t been an international flight out of Regina since the initial COVID-19 pandemic restrictions came down in March of 2020.
But things are finally moving out of the country once again at YQR. Passengers got on a flight to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico on Friday morning.
For Collin Heisler and Lisa Hoffart, it has been a long time coming.
“We’re looking forward to it. It has been a couple of years. Before the world changed, we were the second or third flight that landed. And then the world stopped turning,” Heisler said.
Usually, they would go on hot holidays often, but the pandemic really disrupted that.
“So, yeah, it has been a long time … (We) need some sun and a little bit of a break from reality here,” he continued.
Still, while the pair was able to escape the cold weather and snow of mid-December Regina, things haven’t gone exactly as they would have before the virus hit.
Heisler said keeping up with the COVID rules has been a serious hassle.
“It has definitely been a hassle (and) a lot of research. You definitely feel like you’re on your own. There’s support out there, but it’s changing. You go to bed at night (and) you figure you had everything lined up, (then) you wake up in the morning and there’s something new,” he said.
“We’re wondering if it’s really worth it, but I’m sure once we hit the sand, it will be,” Hoffart added.
Ross Wood was also on the flight, and agreed it has been tough to keep up with the federal government’s rules.
“We’ve done everything that we’re aware of, but it’s still very confusing because the messaging is so mixed,” he said. “It’s just hard to know exactly what is required.”
But still, despite the hassle, everyone 980 CJME spoke with was vibrant and happy about the upcoming trip.
One woman summed up her feelings in just a few words.
“It’s indescribable,” she said. “It’s fantastic … It’s pretty good, that’s for sure.”