At midnight on Sunday, Canada joined a host of European countries when it cut off passenger air travel from the U.K., due to the rapid spread of a new strain of COVID-19.
The 72-hour ban is now in effect and is the country’s reaction to the apparent spread of a more virulent version of the disease in southern England.
Ireland, Germany, France, Holland, Austria, Italy and Belgium all blocked flights from the U.K. — some for two days, others for longer.
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, said on social media on Sunday night that initial ban will be in place for 72 hours, after which time it could be extended or enhanced.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said in a statement passengers who arrived in Canada Sunday from the U.K. are now subject to enhanced screening measures, including stronger scrutiny of their quarantine plans.
Passengers who arrived in previous days from the U.K. will receive direction from the Canadian government, the statement said.
Fearing the new COVID mutation, which has yet to be tested against the vaccines being rolled out, several countries halted travel to and from the U.K.
However, PHAC said no cases of the new strain have yet been identified in Canada, although they are looking out for it.
