Omicron factor forced Canada to reinstate fresh travel advisories

By Scarlett Wilson [Published 16 Dec, 2021 | 05:42 AM] 1261

This phase is really a testing time for the Canadian economy and IRCC as it will have a huge impact on the Canada immigration. Canada has reimpose its advice against all non-essential overseas travel in an effort to halt the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron strain.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos issued the latest caution on Wednesday, just days before a lot of Canadians planned to travel for the Christmas holiday. "I suggest very clearly to people who were going to travel: this is not the time to travel," Duclos added.

He warned that individuals who travel overseas risk becoming trapped due to the quickly shifting scenario with omicron and the possibility of further limitations imposed by Canada and other nations. The decision comes as airports prepare for their busiest season since the commencement of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Omicron is spreading at an alarming rate throughout the world, with South Africa and the United Kingdom both reporting record daily infection levels on Wednesday.

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In Canada, infections have grown by 33% in the previous seven days, while hospitalizations have increased by 3%.

Ottawa is also set to reintroduce strict on-arrival testing and isolation measures for international aviation travellers. At the moment, testing is only done at random.

The government will also broaden its on-arrival testing and isolation requirement, which is now only being applied randomly to air travellers. The administration has stated that it would be extended to all air travellers outside of the United States, but no date has been set.

It is known that Canada pondered more robust measures, including placing a travel restriction on all foreign nationals and reinstituting a two-week quarantine or isolation period.

Canada is already attempting to increase access to booster injections, with 16 million already accessible and more on the way. Duclos also places a high value on the use of home testing, making 95 million accessible to provinces and 35 million available to municipalities.

Tags: border restrictions Canada border Canada immigration news Canadian immigration news coronavirus covid COVID-19 travel restrictions