Ottawa, Gatra.com – Canada on Tuesday banned tourists or travelers from Egypt, Nigeria and Malawi over concerns over the spread of the new variant of the Omicron coronavirus, which adds 10 African countries targeted by Ottawa.
“Foreign nationals who have transited or resided in these 10 countries cannot enter Canada if they have been in these countries during the last two weeks”, declared the Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos during a press conference. / 12).
He also said that all air travelers arriving from outside Canada, except the United States, should be tested for Covid-19 at the point of entry. “Whether vaccinated or not,” and these travelers must self-isolate until test results are possible.
The World Health Organization first reported a week ago that the Omicron outbreak was detected in southern Africa in early November. Variants of Omicron have emerged in several countries, sparking global concern over the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than five million people and a shattered economy around the world.
“The pandemic is not yet over,” added Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.
“Travel actions can change at any time,” he added.
Canada on Friday barred entry to all travelers from seven South African countries: Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Canada confirmed on Sunday that it had also detected its first cases of the new Omicron strain, in two people who had recently visited Nigeria.
The WHO said on Tuesday that the travel ban would not prevent the spread of the new variant, after some 50 countries implemented similar measures.
Canada has reported a total of 1,791,902 coronavirus cases and 29,681 deaths.
“Pop culture fanatic. Introvert. Devoted food trailblazer. Bacon geek. Lifelong coffee evangelist.”