Canada extended its flight ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan until June 21 to help control the spread of new COVID-19 variants as the first 30-day ban (that was imposed on April 22) expired on the weekend, CBC reports.
The ban applies to direct flights from both countries, however, cargo flights from these countries will still be allowed to fly into Canada in order to maintain shipments of essential supplies, such as vaccines and personal protective equipment. Passengers can still fly to Canada from India or Pakistan by arriving via a third country. They will need to produce a negative result on a COVID-19 test taken at their last point of departure before being allowed to enter Canada.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra confirmed the flight ban extension at a government pandemic briefing on 21MAY and said that the restriction was extended, "based on public health advice to reduce the importation risk of COVID-19 and its variants."
He added that the government would continue adapting border restrictions as conditions change and did not give a firm date for lifting the ban.
