Canadian snowbirds are divided about whether to make their southern migration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some sun-seekers say they’d rather spend lockdown by the beach in Florida than snowed in for the Canadian winter, while others say the warm weather isn’t worth the risk of international travel.

Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, said most Canadians are taking a “wait and see’” approach to their plans for this season.

Public health doctor Monika Dutt says snowbirds tend to be older, so they’re more likely to have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of COVID-19 complications.

Dutt says the US has higher rates of infection relative to most Canadian jurisdictions, so snowbirds should think twice before booking their trip down south.

However, Dutt says there are other factors to consider, such as the health risks of isolation, and mobility issues caused by icy conditions.

An independent health policy analyst says snowbirds must also consider the perils of relying on a foreign health-care system.

Karen Palmer of Simon Fraser University says snowbirds should secure travel insurance, and read every word of their policy to ensure they’re covered for COVID-19 complications.