Canada has begun a 30-day halt to flights from COVID-19 hotspots of India and Pakistan in an attempt to counter the virus variants.
“We’ve been saying for over a year, now is not the time to travel,” said Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra. “Our government continues to take unprecedented action to protect the health and safety of all Canadians."
As well, the land border between Canada and the United States has been closed to non-essential travel for a year.
It will continue to be shut at least until May 21 with more extensions possible.
“As cases rise and variants of concern continue to emerge across the country, we will continue to do what it takes-for as long as it takes-to keep Canadians safe,” said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.