Shomporko Online News Desk: Canada’s prohibition on inbound passenger flights from India has been extended for another month, according to Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.
The embargo, which was imposed on April 22 in response to the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant across the country, is now set to expire on August 21. It was supposed to wrap up on Wednesday.
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, according to some experts.
“While progress is being made, the situation in India is still very serious,” he said. “The decision is based on the advice received from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and will best protect Canadians from an increased introduction of the Delta variant, which is prevalent in India.”
Transport Canada has also extended the requirement regarding travel to Canada from India through another country. Any passengers who use this method must continue to get a COVID-19 test from a country other than India before continuing their journey to Canada.
On Monday, India reported 38,164 new COVID-19 cases and 499 deaths, the lowest in over three months. To date, India has seen 31,144,229 cases of COVID-19 and 414,108 deaths, Johns Hopkins University reports.
Also on Monday, the Canadian government announced that fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents who want to come to Canada for non-essential reasons can do so starting on Aug. 9.
When that day comes, American travelers who are fully vaccinated won’t have to quarantine upon arrival, and the government-approved hotel quarantine program will also be axed.
They will, however, be tested for COVID-19 and required to submit proof of immunization using the ArriveCAN smartphone app or web portal. The results of post-travel tests will no longer be required.
As of Sept. 7, fully vaccinated travelers from other parts of the world will be able to enter.
Source_ Global news
