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Summary

Canada Is Banning Flights From India & Pakistan For 30 Days

"Due to the continued spread of variants of concern."
Canada Is Banning Flights From India & Pakistan For 30 Days
Banol2007 | Dreamstime
Reporter

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced that Canada is suspending commercial and passenger flights from India and Pakistan for 30 days, effective April 22 at 11:30 p.m. EST "due to the continued spread of variants of concern."

The announcement comes just a day after Quebec's Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ) and CIUSSS de la Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec confirmed the province's first known case of the new COVID-19 variant strain, first identified in India, labelled B.1.617.

Editor's Choice: These Health Conditions Make You Eligible For Quebec's Next Round Of COVID-19 Vaccines

"This is a temporary measure while we assess the evolving situation and determine appropriate measures going forward," Alghabra said.

Cargo flights from both countries will be permitted to enter Canada to ensure a continued supply of vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies.

Passengers who depart from either country to Canada via an indirect flight route after 11:30 p.m. tonight must obtain a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test at their last point of departure.

covid-19
MontrealNewsNews

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