Canada has extended the ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan until June 21, 2021.
An official release by the government reads, “To continue managing the elevated risk of imported Covid-19 cases into Canada, the Government of Canada has extended the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India and Pakistan until June 21, 2021, at 2359 EDT.”
“The government is also extending the requirement for air passengers who depart India or Pakistan to Canada, via an indirect route, to obtain a Covid-19 pre-departure test from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.”
Canada’s border management measures include entry and flight restrictions; mandatory pre-arrival, on-arrival, and post-arrival testing requirements; mandatory hotel stopover for air travellers; and mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers. The government stated that it is also extending those measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
“As the number of Covid-19 cases remains disproportionally high in India and Pakistan, we have extended our flight restrictions and third-country pre-departure testing requirements for these countries. These ongoing measures are in place to help protect Canadians, and manage the elevated risk of imported cases of Covid-19 and variants of concern into Canada during a time of increasing pressure on our health care system,” said Omar Alghabra, minister of Transport.
