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Fri Dec

Canada adds more countries to travel ban list; announces updates to travel restrictions in the wake of new COVID-19 variant

Syed Khan – November 27, 2021

Canada has added 3 more countries to its indefinite travel ban list. Now, the list includes the following countries:

  • Namibia
  • Malawi
  • Egypt
  • South Africa
  • Nigeria
  • Mozambique
  • Botswana
  • Zimbabwe
  • Lesotho
  • 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).

All international travelers arriving in Canada by air are required to take a COVID-19 test (except those traveling in from the United States)

The Canadian Airports Council has also made an announcement saying that at this moment, airports cannot test all overseas arrivals on-site without making travelers undergo long wait times.

At this moment, only randomly selected international flight travelers are being tested at the airport. There has been no announcement on when this measure will come into effect.

Quote by Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos:

“All air travelers coming from outside Canada, apart from the United States, will now need to be tested at the airport (where) they are landing in Canada. They will then need to isolate themselves until they get the results of their test”

Quote by Daniel Gooch, President of the Canadian Airports Council:

"We want to avoid chaos. And we want to ensure that travelers who have booked trips are comfortable to travel." (Source: Reuters)

Canada has implemented a number of new measures which include:

  • Banning entry of all foreign travelers who have travelled through these 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.
  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours are not required to present a negative PCR test result.
  • Citizens and permanent residents who left Canada for more than 72 hours 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.
  • An update has been made to the list of accepted vaccines: The list is as follows:
  • Pfizer
  • Moderna
  • AstraZeneca
  • COVAXIN
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Sinopharm
  • Sinovac

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 )

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada's No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.

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