Canada on Monday announced that it is extending the ban on incoming passenger flights from India for another month due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. The ban, which was imposed on April 22 when India was witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, was set to expire on July 21, but will now remain in place until August 21, Global News Ca reported. It is for the fourth time that the ban has been extended.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told reporters during a news conference that the reason for the extension was due to the Delta variant, which is considered the dominant strain of COVID-19 worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has announced it is easing travel restrictions on fully-vaccinated tourists beginning in August.
Canada has also lifted other travel restrictions over the past month. As of late June, all Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) Holders (i.e., newly approved immigrants) are now allowed to travel to Canada and complete their landings. In addition, Canada now exempts fully-vaccinated travellers from needing to quarantine.
Meanwhile, Canada has announced relaxation for international passengers, apart from those travelling from India. Starting August, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents from the US can enter Canada without being required to observe the mandatory quarantine period. The same rule is also applied to workers with valid work permits, international students, and relatives of permanent residents.
Canada’s Public Health Agency had already announced a slew of travel relaxations from July 5, as part of the first phase of lifting restrictions. Meanwhile, those travelling to Canada via connecting flights still have to produce negative RT-PCR test results, which has to be conducted at the final point of departure before entering Canada.
