Canada suspends flights from the UK for 72 hours

The Public Health Agency of Canada announced yesterday December 20, 2020 that as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, December 21, incoming flights from the United Kingdom will be suspended for 72 hours to prevent the spread of a new strain of coronavirus. . The Canadian Public Health Agency website states that “Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is guided by the latest science and research. The government of Canada is closely monitoring the genetic variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 identified in the UK and is working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, to better understand this variant and its impacts. “

On December 20, Prime Minister Trudeau convened an Incident Response Group meeting to discuss the new COVID-19 variant identified in the UK. Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, and Minister of Foreign Affairs François -Philippe Champagne participated in the meeting.

The press release states that “a genetic variation of viruses like the one that causes COVID-19 is to be expected and has been previously observed in some parts of the world this year. While early data suggest that the UK variant may be more transmissible, to date there is no evidence that mutations have any impact on symptom severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy. “

The statement goes on to note that the evidence is, however, limited at this time and more research is needed in Canada and around the world. “Given the high number of cases of a variant of the COVID-19 virus observed in some areas of the UK, a decision has been made to suspend entry into Canada of all UK commercial and private passenger flights for 72 hours, starting at midnight tonight. “

“Our government is committed to keeping Canadians and the transportation system safe and secure. Today’s advisory, temporarily banning flights to Canada from the UK, will reduce the public health risks for Canadians, ”said the Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.

Canada has had strict travel restrictions and border measures since March 2020, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entering Canada. These measures remain in force. “Our government will continue to do whatever it takes to protect the health of Canadians. These additional measures will allow time for public health officials to gather more evidence and help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, ”said the Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health.

Additionally, the press release states that “passengers arriving in Canada today from the UK are now subject to secondary controls and enhanced measures, including increased scrutiny of quarantine plans. Recent arrivals from the UK will also receive additional instructions from the Government of Canada.

“It is essential to the health and safety of all Canadians that we continue to rapidly adapt our border measures to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Canadian Border Services Agency officials remain vigilant and ready to implement these enhanced border measures to protect Canadians, ”said the Honorable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

You can read more details on the Public Health website.