On April 22, the federal government announced to impose strict travel restrictions to curb the spread and protect Canadians from the new strain of COVID-19 virus.

In the last two weeks, 35 flights arrived in Canada with at least one COVID-19 case, according to the federal government.

The travel restrictions include a 30-day ban on all passenger and cargo flights from India and Pakistan, which begun at 11:30 p.m. EST on April 22, 2021. Though, cargo flights carrying vaccines and protective equipment would be permitted to reach Canada.

According to Canada’s transport minister, Omar Alghabra, those travelling to Canada via an indirect route from India or Pakistan must obtain a negative COVID-19 test from their last point of departure.

Canada has taken such a similar step earlier also. After a new COVID-19 version was discovered in the United Kingdom in December 2020, international flights from the United Kingdom were banned for more than two weeks.

As per the current guidelines, International travellers, whether by air or land, must display evidence of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arriving in Canada. Airline travellers would also require taking another exam once they arrive in Canada.

The following travellers are exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Canada:

• Canadian citizens
• permanent residents of Canada
• immediate or extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• temporary foreign workers
• international students who are attending a designated learning institution that has a COVID-19 readiness plan
• holders of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) that was issued before March 18, 2020
• individuals coming to Canada for compassionate reasons such as to be present during the final moments of life of a loved one
• protected persons
• persons registered under Canada’s Indian Act
• transiting passengers.

However, any non-essential travel to Canada, is still prohibited. COPR holders who received their COPR after March 18, 2020 are also exempt to travel Canada at this time.