Canada extends travel ban from India and Pakistan

Canada’s deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo reiterated the importance of the travel restrictions in place, saying that about 70 per cent of new COVID-19 cases are variants of concern.

The Indian variant is called B.1.6.1.7. Between February 22 and May 6, 279 passengers tested positive for this new variant. There may also be community transmission within Canada. This is according to data from the Public Health Agency Canada (PHAC).

International travellers coming to Canada need to present proof of a COVID-19 test. The test must be taken within 72 hours before travelling to Canada, whether travelling by air or by land. Travellers by air are also required to take another test upon arrival in Canada.

Those travelling from India or Pakistan, need to have taken their COVID-19 test at a third country.

Air travellers must then quarantine at a government-approved hotel for three days while they wait for their results. After they are cleared, they are still required to continue their 14-day quarantine. The three day hotel stay counts towards the mandatory 14 days.

On the eighth day of their quarantine period, they will be required to once again take a COVID-19 test.