Transport Canada announced late Monday 09AUG that it’s extending restrictions on direct flights from India until at least 21SEP.
This news comes as Canada began to open its borders in a phased approach this week, beginning with fully-vaccinated Americans on 09AUG, and continuing with fully-vaccinated residents of other countries beginning on 07SEP.
The move to extend the India flight ban was taken on the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada to contain the spread of variants of the virus.
All direct commercial and private passenger flights are subject to the ban.
In addition, Transport Canada is also extending the requirement related to indirect flights for pax from India to Canada. Travellers who depart India to Canada via a third country will continue to be required to obtain a valid COVID-19 pre-departure test from that third country (other than India) before continuing on their route to Canada.
In its statement, the Government of Canada said it continues to closely monitor the virus and that it will be working closely with the Government of India and carriers to ensure appropriate procedures are put in place to enable a safe return of direct flights as soon as conditions permit.
Ottawa first banned flights from India in APR for month-long periods which have been rolled over.
