travel advisory canada afghanistan

'There's no time to waste': Canada issues travel documents to help Afghans flee their country

Single-journey documents will allow afghan refugees to travel to pakistan on their way to canada.

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After months of pressure from advocates, the federal government has issued special travel documents to thousands of Afghans to escape the country and ultimately make their way to Canada.

The single-journey documents are being issued to Afghans who have already been approved for resettlement in Canada. They can be used in place of passports so that they can enter Pakistan, where they will undergo the screenings required to travel to Canada.

A spokesperson for Pakistani High Commission in Ottawa told The Globe and Mail that Afghans will be given visas upon their arrival in Pakistan, allowing them to stay there for 30 days while they arrange travel to Canada.

• 8 months in, Afghans stuck in Islamabad may finally have a path to Canada
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Brian Macdonald is head of Aman Lara, a group of Canadian veterans working to rescue Afghans still in the country. Here's part of his conversation with As It Happens guest host Tom Harrington.

Brian, how significant is this breakthrough for the Afghans you're trying to help?

This is an incredible opportunity. I mean, this is the moment we've been waiting for. We have a narrow window to move as many Afghans as we can who lack the proper documentation. And so we are just full-on mobilized to move as they people as we can in this window.

How narrow is the window?

It's about 50 days now to get people out of Afghanistan.

How much danger are some of these Afghans in right now?

Well, all of these Afghans are people who supported the Canadian mission, you know, through our 10 years in Afghanistan. And so these are all people who identified as supporting Canada and help their war effort there. And they're also people that obviously identified that they weren't pro-Taliban. And so now that the Taliban is running the country, they're in grave danger.

How many people have you heard from, at least so far, who've received these letters?

Well, we just started hearing from them yesterday, and yesterday it was 50. And they'll be even more today. And we could see the numbers are building pretty quickly.

What are people saying about finally getting this chance to get out of the country?

I think they're a little overwhelmed by the opportunity. You know … if this is the moment we've been waiting for, I can only imagine how they feel.

You know, they've been hunted. They've been persecuted. They're often in hiding. And so this is the opportunity for them to get out. I'm sure it's overwhelming to them.

A lot of these Afghans were already approved to come here. So what was the roadblock? What was preventing them from getting here?

Every one of these applicants has been approved by the Government of Canada for onward travel. And we work closely with the Government of Canada to make sure that they're approved. But the challenge has been … in order to get into Pakistan, for example, they need to have a Pakistani visa, which means they need to have an Afghan passport.

And so getting an Afghan passport, as you can imagine, is very difficult. They've got to go to an office that's controlled by the Taliban. They have to give their name and address and fingerprints, and then all the information [about] their family, and basically tell the Taliban: "Hey, we want to leave." And there's only really one reason people want to leave Afghanistan, and that's because they're fleeing the Taliban. So it does raise a red flag and puts them in grave danger.

And, of course, you know, [it's] also bureaucratic. It takes time and money. And then, you know, the additional step of getting an exit visa to leave the country and to get into Pakistan is a challenge.

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Pakistan is the place they're trying to get to, in order to get to Canada. But what role does Pakistan play in the delay that you've had?

Well, Pakistan requires an entry visa and an exit visa, so of course, you can't have a visa without a passport. And so it's required the additional step of securing an Afghan passport. These people have been approved by the government of Canada. So they passed that check. But now they had to go through the bureaucracy to get a passport in Afghanistan, and they had to go through the bureaucracy to get a visa in Pakistan, which, as you can imagine, is all very difficult and kind of an overwhelming administrative burden on people who are already under duress.

So now we've removed those two steps. They've been approved by the government of Canada. So ... they don't need the Afghan passport in this window, and they don't need the Pakistani visa. So that's why we can move so many people. And we've been moving people at a pretty good rate who have managed to get across those bureaucratic hurdles. But now that they don't have to cross those, we could move thousands in a short amount of time.

Who else are you trying to get out of Afghanistan who won't necessarily be helped by this scheme?

We help Afghans who have helped Canada. We also help Afghans who are at risk for other reasons. So, for example, the LGBTQ2S+ community, we have been trying to help them. We've been trying to help journalists. We've been trying to help lawyers that work for the Government of Canada, people that were in NGOs that were funded by the Government of Canada or businesses that the Government of Canada provided funding to support — all of those groups we're trying to help.

What's the possibility, Brian, that this is happening too late for some Afghans who have been hunted by the Taliban, that the delay may have cost them their lives?

I certainly have heard reports that people have, as you know, paid the ultimate sacrifice for their support of Canada, that they have been killed — or worse — by the Taliban. We've heard those anecdotes. We don't track that information; we are focused on getting people out … as quickly as possible. Whatever the method.

You said the window is 50 days. How many people do you think you can get out of the country in that time?

Well, our target is 3,000 in the next 50 to 60 days. And we're pretty confident we can do that. The challenge is really making sure that people are ready to move. So … there's no time to waste.

Written by Jonathan Ore. Interview produced by Kate Swoger. Q&A edited for length and clarity.

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Canada-afghanistan relations, on this page, canada and the afghanistan crisis, bilateral relations, international assistance, contribution of the canadian armed forces, trade relations, partnerships and organizations.

On August 15, 2021, the Government of Canada announced that it had suspended operations at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. All remaining Canadian diplomats, locally engaged staff (LES) and Armed Forces personnel were safely evacuated from Afghanistan. Canada has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the Government of Afghanistan. The Taliban remains a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law.

The Taliban’s take-over of Afghanistan has fundamentally changed conditions in the country. A severe humanitarian crisis has ensued, having an impact on a significant portion of the population. The human rights situation continues to deteriorate, with women, girls and ethnic and religious minorities facing systemic discrimination and violations of their human rights. Furthermore, Afghanistan is becoming, once again, a safe haven for trans-national terrorists.

Canada remains committed to doing its part to address these challenges, working closely with international partners. Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, based in Doha, coordinates with the international community on a joint response to the crisis in Afghanistan. In response to growing Taliban human rights violations, Canada strongly advocates for coordinated efforts by the international community to press the Taliban to respect international humanitarian law, and uphold human rights, in particular, the full rights of women, girls and ethnic minorities. Canada also calls for the formation of an inclusive and representative Afghan government. These priorities are also advanced through Canada’s sustained engagement across high-level international fora, including the G7 and the United Nations.

As part of its response to the crisis, the Government of Canada has committed to welcoming at least 40,000 Afghan refugees, including women leaders, human rights defenders, members of religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ2 individuals, journalists, and extended family members of previously resettled interpreters. This commitment is one of the largest in the world. Learn more about  Canada’s commitment to resettle Afghans .

Canada has suspended all diplomatic operations in Afghanistan and does not recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan.

Since the early 1960s, Canada has provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan initially in response to a series of natural disasters. In 1968, Canada formally established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, and, in 2003, opened its Embassy in Kabul and appointed its first resident ambassador. As of August 15, 2021, following the Taliban’s take-over of the country, Canada no longer has a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.

Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation facing Afghans, and is continuing to facilitate assistance to vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and the region. Canada supports gender-responsive principled humanitarian action, based on critical needs, to help save lives, alleviate suffering and support the dignity of those affected by crises. Recognizing significant and growing needs, Canada has provided over $143 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable Afghans in Afghanistan and the region in 2022. Canada is working through experienced humanitarian partners, such as United Nations agencies, both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, to provide life-saving assistance. Canada remains in active communication with other donors, the World Bank and United Nations agencies to develop solutions that address the needs of Afghans.

Canada has been providing international assistance to the country since the 1960s. From 2001 to 2021, Canada provided $3.9 billion in international assistance to Afghanistan. These funds supported stabilization, reconstruction, peace and development efforts in Afghanistan. In 2022, Canada provided $70 million to support the delivery of basic services in health and education to the most vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and girls, in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Guided by its  Feminist International Assistance Policy , Canada’s international assistance to Afghanistan adopts a “women and girls’ rights first” approach. With Canadian and international support, Afghans achieved significant democratic, human rights, education, and health gains over the past twenty years. The Taliban’s control of Afghanistan is threatening those gains in every sector and has resulted in the withdrawal of financial support to Afghan government institutions by many members of the international community.

More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members served in Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from 2001 to 2014, making it the largest Canadian military deployment since the Second World War. 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died during the intervention. Canada concluded its military operations in 2014. In August 2021, the CAF returned to oversee evacuation efforts at the Kabul airport as part of  Operation AEGIS . In coordination with international allies, the CAF successfully evacuated more than 3,700 people, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents, citizens of allied countries, Afghan nationals with links to Canada, and other vulnerable Afghans.

Canadians and Canadian companies planning to conduct activities in Afghanistan are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Canadian  sanctions and restrictions . The Taliban is a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law. Strong due diligence and mitigation measures are crucial for any organization seeking to work in the country.

The Government of Canada cannot provide legal advice to the public. We recommend obtaining legal advice with respect to any particular legal matter related to engaging in trade relations with Afghanistan.

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The Government of Canada is working closely with partners and organizations, including the United States, in our ongoing efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans through Canada’s special programs .

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, including the situation in Afghanistan, Canada and likeminded work closely with a range of multilateral organizations and in multilateral fora, including:

• United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• The World Bank
• Asia Development Bank (ADB)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Afghanistan

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Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan

You should not travel to Afghanistan. The security situation is volatile. Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and border crossings may not be open.  

There is a heightened risk of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan. If you are a British national and you are detained in Afghanistan, you could face months or years of imprisonment. FCDO ’s ability to help you is extremely limited and support in person is not possible in Afghanistan.

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Support for British nationals is severely limited in Afghanistan. There is no British Embassy in Afghanistan and we cannot give help in person in Afghanistan. If you are detained, the British government may not be informed.

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Canada provides update on assisted departures out of Haiti

From: Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement regarding Canada's assisted departures from Haiti: “The safety of Canadians, at home and abroad, is our top priority.

April 5, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement regarding Canada's assisted departures from Haiti:

“The safety of Canadians, at home and abroad, is our top priority.

“Our teams in Ottawa and in the region continue to work tirelessly to help Canadians and those with strong ties to Canada leave Haiti.

“We have been working around the clock to facilitate the departure of more Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members from Haiti.

“To date, we have helped over 250 Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members leave the country, through close collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency.

“We have been closely monitoring the demand for assisted departure out of Haiti.

“Now that many have left, the number of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their eligible family members, who can or want to leave Haiti on assisted departure flights has decreased significantly.

“As a result, the last scheduled assisted departure flight from Haiti will take place on Sunday April 7 .

“My message to Canadians permanent residents and their eligible family members who are currently in Haiti is this: If you want to leave Haiti, now is the time to do so. If you would like our help in leaving, you must contact Global Affairs Canada.

“The security situation in Haiti remains extremely volatile. Canada’s missions in the region are actively monitoring the situation and working with partners and like-minded governments, as well as the international community to address the situation.

“Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and their immediate eligible family members wishing to leave Haiti should:

• apply for a travel document as soon as possible, if they do not currently have valid documents
• contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre:
• Telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available)
• Email: [email protected]
• SMS: +1 613-686-3658
• WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
• Signal: +1 613-909-8087
• Telegram: Canada Emergency Abroad”

Associated links

• Canada's response to the crisis in Haiti
• Registration of Canadians Abroad
• Travel advice and advisories for Haiti

Media Relations Office Global Affairs Canada [email protected] Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @CanadaFP and @TravelGoC Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada and Travel.gc.ca - Travel advice from the Government of Canada

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Solar eclipse 2024: How the phenomenon is affecting travel

Monday's solar eclipse is expected to delay traffic , prompting travel warnings from local municipalities.

On April 8th, people will see a total solar eclipse along the path of Mexico, Texas, through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It is expected to finish at Niagara Falls on the border between the United States and Canada. It will begin at about 1:20 p.m. Eastern and finish at about 4:40 p.m.

Affected governments reminded locals to fill up their gas tanks and pack water, food, and medications. The Virginia Department of Transportation reminded drivers on the road between those hours to avoid eclipse glasses while driving. These glasses allow viewers to look directly at the phenomenon without damaging their eyes.

"Eclipse glasses are darker than normal sunglasses and should only be worn when viewing the eclipse from a safe location and not while driving," the department explained.

New York's Department of Transportation reminded drivers to avoid pulling over on the side of any road to view the eclipse. The agency said it will position NYSDOT HELP operators throughout the state to ensure traffic safety between those hours.

"Heavy traffic is expected throughout the eclipse & especially for Monday afternoon & evening as everyone makes their way home," it posted on X. "Drive Safe NY!"

Meanwhile, Canada will be shutting down entire roads in the Niagara Falls area for the first eclipse visible from its territory since 1979. Niagara Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street to Fraser Hill, from 12 p.m. Eastern through midnight. Clifton Hill will also be closed at the same time frame from Victoria Avenue to Falls Avenue. Niagara Boulevard will close in both directions from Central Avenue to Dominion Road and from Dominion to Albert Street. This road is already closed from Netherby Road to Townline Road due to construction work.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

One million tourists are anticipated to flood into the area on both sides of the border. Normally, the town sees 14 million guests over the course of a year. Some 98% of the 14,000+ hotel rooms in the area are reserved.

The next time Canada will see a total solar eclipse will be 20 years from now in 2044. The next time a solar eclipse will be visible from the U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

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The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’

Researchers are documenting a phenomenon that seems to help the dying, as well as those they leave behind..

By Phoebe Zerwick

Read by Samantha Desz

Produced by Jack D’Isidoro and Aaron Esposito

Narration produced by Anna Diamond and Emma Kehlbeck

Original music by Aaron Esposito

Engineered by Sophia Lanman and Sharon Kearney

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Chris Kerr was 12 when he first observed a deathbed vision. His memory of that summer in 1974 is blurred, but not the sense of mystery he felt at the bedside of his dying father. Throughout Kerr’s childhood in Toronto, his father, a surgeon, was too busy to spend much time with his son, except for an annual fishing trip they took, just the two of them, to the Canadian wilderness. Gaunt and weakened by cancer at 42, his father reached for the buttons on Kerr’s shirt, fiddled with them and said something about getting ready to catch the plane to their cabin in the woods. “I knew intuitively, I knew wherever he was, must be a good place because we were going fishing,” Kerr told me.

Kerr now calls what he witnessed an end-of-life vision. His father wasn’t delusional, he believes. His mind was taking him to a time and place where he and his son could be together, in the wilds of northern Canada.

Kerr followed his father into medicine, and in the last 10 years he has hired a permanent research team that expanded studies on deathbed visions to include interviews with patients receiving hospice care at home and with their families, deepening researchers’ understanding of the variety and profundity of these visions.

There are a lot of ways to listen to ‘The Daily.’ Here’s how.

We want to hear from you. Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at [email protected] . Follow Michael Barbaro on X: @mikiebarb . And if you’re interested in advertising with The Daily, write to us at [email protected] .

Additional production for The Sunday Read was contributed by Isabella Anderson, Anna Diamond, Sarah Diamond, Elena Hecht, Emma Kehlbeck, Tanya Pérez and Krish Seenivasan.

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Total eclipse: Watch the moon slowly overlap the sun across Canada

Vote: Are you watching the solar eclipse? Check out the world record, timings, forecast and photos

Solar eclipse 2024 in Canada: Everything to know for April 8 — timing, path of totality, safety warnings and more

We brought your top eclipse questions to an expert, and we have answers.

For the latest info from across Canada for the 2024 total solar eclipse, you can keep up with Yahoo Canada's live blog.  

Canadians are gearing up for a 'once-in-a-generation' total solar eclipse that will plunge a swath of the country into several minutes of darkness on Monday, April 8.

As hordes of people are set to descend on regions lined up in the path of totality, many who for the first time will experience a total solar eclipse are turning to social media seeking answers on how to make the most of this once-in-a-generation event.

Yahoo News Canada spoke with Greg Lisk of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to bring you everything you need to know from how a solar eclipse occurs, where to best view it and how to keep yourself safe.

🌗 What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when, at just the right moment, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, according to NASA.

There are several types of solar eclipses: partial, annular and total. What makes the 2024 eclipse significant is this celestial event is a total solar eclipse, meaning that the moon, for those in the path of totality will completely block all sunlight for several minutes.

Many of you have been wondering, "how do we know so far in advance there is going to be an eclipse on a set day?"

"We have known for decades there will be a solar eclipse in the region," explains Lisk. "We have calculated the moon's orbit so precisely that we know exactly at what moment the moon will block the sun's light from reaching earth."

🕗 What time will the solar eclipse happen across Canada?

"The shadow of the eclipse will be moving at 2,000 miles an hour by the time it reaches Canada," Lisk said.

Lisk explains that the moon will begin transiting in front of the sun approximately an hour before totality, and will end an hour after totality.

In Canada, the partial eclipse will begin around 2:07 p.m. EDT when it enters Canada's border in south eastern Ontario, and those located on the north east Canadian portion of the path can expect the sun's light to begin dimming at approximately 4 p.m. EDT.

🇨🇦 Where will the 2024 solar eclipse be visible in Canada?

Canadian provinces in the path of totality include:

Prince Edward Island

New Brunswick

Newfoundland

READ MORE: Solar eclipse 2024 events: Best cities in Canada to experience 'astronomical' solar eclipse on April 8

Key cities that will experience totality are Niagara Falls, Ont., Kingston, Ont., Montreal, Que., Fredericton, N.B., Summerside, P.E.I., and Gander, Nfld.

In the chart below, you will see listed all the major Canadian eclipse hotspots with the time of onset and duration posted beside.

Those living outside the eclipse's path will witness a small portion of the moon blocking the sun, Lisk explains.

"Out in British Columbia, you will get a 10 per cent shadow in front of the sun, so unless you look at the sun with a filter, you wouldn't even know an eclipse is happening," Lisk said.

🌎 What is the path of totality?

The path of totality is the centre line that the moon's shadow takes across the earth, Lisk explains.

"It is about 100 miles in diameter," Lisk says. "The size of the shadow as it rests on the earth depends on the angle that it is hitting the earth. As it moves from Mexico/Texas, it hits the earth full-on, but as it moves up through Canada, the shadow noticeably stretches over the curve of the earth."

☀️ 🌗 🌑 What are the stages of a solar eclipse?

Stage 1: partial phase.

This is where you will begin seeing the moon appear in front of the sun, Lisk explains. The duration of this stage lasts approximately an hour as more and more of the sun is covered by the moon.

Lisk says that by the time 90% of the sun is covered, one observable effect is that shadows all around will become very sharp as the source of sunlight comes from a very narrow spot.

Stage 2: Diamond ring effect

When the moon moves to block the sun nearly completely, the sky will darken to a point you will observe a glow emitting from around the moon, which Lisk explains is the sun's corona.

"The last piece of sun left uncovered makes this sharp, brilliant light that will last several seconds and it will appear somewhat like a diamond ring," Lisk says. "This is when you know totality is about to occur."

Stage 3: Baily's Beads

When the diamond ring fades, but before the sun completely disappears, an effect known as Baily's Beads takes place.

"The edge of the moon is not a perfectly smooth ball, there are mountains and craters on the moon, so little pieces of sunlight will filter through those peaks and valleys, and observable to viewers," Lisk said.

Stage 4: Totality

When the last light vanishes, the sky will completely darken, Lisk explains.

"You will see the stars, planets and the glow of the sun's corona around the moon, which this year should be spectacular, as we are nearing a solar maximum of this solar cycle," Lisk said. Looking to the lower right of the eclipse, the planet Venus will appear brightly and further below, Mars and Saturn will appear.

The length of totality can range anywhere from just a few seconds to the upper range of three minutes, depending on where the viewer is located along the path of totality, Lisk says.

🚨 Why are regions declaring state of emergencies ahead of the eclipse?

A state of emergency is a formal declaration that allows public officials to free up funds, mobilize assistance, and temporarily harness powers they otherwise wouldn’t have on a normal day.

READ MORE: What is a state of emergency? How these orders help in a crisis

Niagara Falls expects one million visitors ahead of the 2024 eclipse—a tremendous strain on local resources amid a surge that would temporarily balloon the region’s population from about 100,000 residents to 1.1 million people on a single afternoon.

Specific legislation governs when these declarations may be made, how long they can last, and exactly what powers and funds may be used for the duration of the emergency. There's often a set time limit—usually one to two weeks—before an order expires if it's not renewed.

The measure, it says, "strengthens the tools the region has at its disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might arise."

🕰️ How often are solar eclipses?

On average, 2.38 solar eclipses of one kind or another occur each year. There must be at least two per year, but there can’t be more than five, according to astronomy.com.

The last time Canadians experienced a solar eclipse was during the Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2017, where regions across the nation were treated to a partial solar eclipse.

The next time Canadians can expect to be treated to a total solar eclipse will be in 2044, when a total solar eclipse is set to carve a path of darkness through western Canada.

🦅 What are effects on nature that will be observed during totality?

As totality nears and for the duration, there are several key effects that will appear in the natural world.

"You will see birds going to roost, bats may begin circling and night insects will begin chirping," Lisk said.

READ MORE: No, birds won't fall out of the sky on April 8

As the shadows of the eclipse move through the path of totality, another key marker that an eclipse is taking place is a major drop in temperature. "When it gets down to the last 10 per cent of the sun being covered, the temperature may drop up to 10-15 degrees," Lisk said.

😎 How can I keep myself safe during a solar eclipse?

"On a normal day, we normally don't have the temptation to stare at the sun, so this is normally not a concern," Lisk said.

READ MORE: The 2024 total solar eclipse is coming: Here are all the health risks and warnings to be wary of

Eclipse glasses are an absolute essential if you will be looking up at the sky as the entire duration of the eclipse will last several hours, warns Lisk.

"You will need to have the glasses on your face for all the partial phase — before totality and after — as the sun's rays will be damaging," Lisk said. "When it gets down to the tiny sliver about to disappear, you can take off your glasses."

Lisk also warns to check your eclipse glasses as scammers are taking advantage of the eclipse and selling counterfeit glasses. Lisk recommends buying them from a legitimate distributor, and ensure that they are ISO-certified.

READ MORE: Fake solar eclipse glasses are being sold. Here's what you need to look out for — and where to buy legit ones

"You can test that they are safe by holding them up to a very bright light source like your smartphone LED flashlight. If you hold the glasses right over the light, you should just make out the actual square of the LED and no more," Lisk said.

Lisk also offers up a warning to anyone who may be on the roads.

"I recommend if you can get off the road during totality, do it," Lisk said. "Be aware of your surroundings if you are near a street as there is a high likelihood of distracted drivers who may be looking up while the eclipse is taking place."

☁️ What happens if it is cloudy on April 8?

While clear skies may be more of a hope than a reality on April 8 when taking into consideration past meteorological trends, here is what you will observe during the eclipse if skies are overcast.

If there is thin cloud cover on April 8, you will still be able to make out the stages of the eclipse, Lisk explains.

"If it is raining, the temperatures will drop and it will get as dark as night." Lisk said.

Lisk's first tip on eclipse photography is simple. Don't.

"Don't mess around with camera equipment. With all the changing lighting conditions, you will be fiddling around with settings and miss most of the actual eclipse," said Lisk. "Just experience it."

One special warning Lisk is offering when using devices to point at the sun — "Do not use your eclipse glasses when looking through a lens of binoculars, video camera or camera." The sunlight will focus onto the glasses and burn a hole right through them. Any device you are using during the eclipse should be covered with a solar filter on the front lens of that device.

If you are planning on filming the eclipse, Lisk has this simple piece of advice — get away from people.

"People will be losing their minds when totality occurs and screaming and hollering," Lisk said. "I've watched a lot of videos of eclipses and all you can hear is someone screaming their head off."

Yahoo News Canada will be providing live coverage of the 2024 solar eclipse on April 8.

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