In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 and a new double-mutant variant of concern, Canada is banning passenger flights from India and Pakistan for the next 30 days.
India recorded the highest one-day tally of new COVID-19 cases in the world yesterday, when more than 314,000 new infections, along with 2,104 new deaths related to the virus.
According to the federal government, more than 100 international flights landing in Canada have carried at least one positive COVID-19 case on board in the last two weeks and at least 32 of those flights were from India.
The new measure went into effect at 11:30 pm Thursday.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says, “The pandemic continues to create an unprecedented crisis in the global aviation industry, and our government continues to take action to protect the health and safety of Canadians. That is why Transport Canada has issued a notice to air operators to temporarily suspend passenger flights from India and Pakistan—where there is an elevated number of passengers arriving with cases of COVID-19.”
The so-called “double mutant” (B.1.167) variant of COVID-19 feared to be driving a record surge in new cases in India has now been found in Canada; in both BC and Quebec.
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Premier Doug Ford and Quebec Premier François Legault have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging the federal government to reduce the number of incoming international flights and do more to secure the Canada-U.S. land border.
Today, Premier @francoislegault and I wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau about the concerning situation at our borders.
With variants of concerns continuing to pose a threat to Canada, we need the federal government to take action now. pic.twitter.com/KY8V5KHCbl
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 22, 2021
Our government’s top priority is protecting Canadians’ health and safety, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic is guided by the latest science and research. pic.twitter.com/I5DXENULsw
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) April 22, 2021
Suspending flights from India and Pakistan to Canada for 30 days will help manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern into Canada during a time of increasing pressure on our health care system. Learn more: https://t.co/h9pt5zyL2L
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) April 22, 2021
Today, Minister Alghabra, along with colleagues, announced new rules that will apply to some international travel. As we fight a third wave of #COVID19, we must continue to reduce the risk of importing cases. https://t.co/VdPzjTZtqU
— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) April 22, 2021