Syed Khan – November 27, 2021
Canada has put an indefinite ban on incoming travel from seven countries i.e., South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini. This is to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron which is believed to have over 20 mutations and is highly resistant to vaccines (source: WHO)
In an announcement made by Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos on 26 November, Canada has banned travel from these seven countries and implemented a number of new measures which include:
- Banning entry of all foreign travelers who have traveled through these seven countries in the last 14 days.
- All travelers to Canada must take a COVID-19 test on arrival, and wait for the result at an assigned hotel. Quarantine for 14 days is mandatory no matter what the test result is.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have traveled to these countries will have to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in Canada. The test must be taken in the connecting country, no less than 72 hours before arrival in Canada.
The WHO has labeled Omicron a ‘variant of concern’ but has criticized imposing travel bans on southern Africa, saying such an action “attacks global solidarity.” Travel bans have been imposed by several countries, with many of them being indefinite.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said: “With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity. COVID-19 constantly exploits our divisions.
In the latest update as of 30th November, 12 am CST, Australia, Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, Germany, Britain, Switzerland, and Canada have confirmed cases of the variant in their respective countries.
Quote by Canada health chief Dr. Theresa Tam:
“One area of mutations is in the spike receptor-binding domain, where the virus attaches itself and invades our cells, which could signify a potential for increased transmissibility of the virus. The other area of mutations is in what is referred to as the antigenic supersite because it is a target for our body’s defensive or neutralizing antibodies.”
The full public health statement by the Canadian government can be read here: ( https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/11/remarks-from-the-chief-public-health-officer-on-november-26-2021.html )
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