Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau urges Canadians to cancel travel plans

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jan, 2021 08:18 PM
  • Trudeau urges Canadians to cancel travel plans

Canadians should cancel any non-essential travel plans they might have, whether it's abroad or even between provinces, as new restrictions are on the way, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.

"The bad choices of a few will never be allowed to put everyone else in danger," he said at a news conference outside his Rideau Cottage home in Ottawa.

Trudeau said while the number of new cases linked to travel remains low, a single case imported from abroad is a case too many and the federal government is actively looking at ways to tighten the border.

Trudeau said the government wants to ensure any measures don't cut off the flow of trade, noting that commercial flights coming into Canada from around the world might have non-essential travellers on board, but essential cargo in the belly of the plane.

Canada has had a ban on non-essential travel into the country by anyone who isn't a citizen or permanent resident since last March but it can't as easily bar the flow of Canadians in and out of the country.

Trudeau pointed out that most who return from outside the country must quarantine for two weeks, and face financial penalties or jail time if they do not. Most are also now required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada.

That requirement went into effect on Jan. 7. Government data shows that since then, however, dozens of flights have landed in Canada where passengers were later found to have COVID-19.

As of last week, about 1.15 per cent of travellers arriving in Calgary and participating in a pilot COVID-19 testing program have been found to be infected with the virus. A similar project underway at Toronto's Pearson airport is reported to have a positivity rate of just over 2 per cent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who had pushed the federal government to launch the testing program, is expected to visit the airport Tuesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

26 COVID19 deaths for BC

26 COVID19 deaths for BC
"The next two weeks we will have very little vaccine."BC is getting no vaccine this week.

26 COVID19 deaths for BC

B.C. care home report reveals confusion

B.C. care home report reveals confusion
The report, by Ernst & Young, says specific policy orders from the provincial health officer were interpreted differently by health authorities and there were gaps in infection prevention and control as well as emergency preparedness.

B.C. care home report reveals confusion

Ramesh Sangha expelled from Liberal caucus

Ramesh Sangha expelled from Liberal caucus
Holland says Liberals have been clear that they won't tolerate "conspiracy theories or dangerous and unfounded rhetoric about parliamentarians or other Canadians."

Ramesh Sangha expelled from Liberal caucus

Vancouver Police officers discover booze-can in Downtown apartment building

Vancouver Police officers discover booze-can in Downtown apartment building
So far this month, VPD has received four complaints about social gatherings inside the apartment.

Vancouver Police officers discover booze-can in Downtown apartment building

Groups question delay in B.C. care home report

Groups question delay in B.C. care home report
More than half of B.C.'s deaths from COVID-19 have been in long-term care facilities.

Groups question delay in B.C. care home report

Abbotsford Tulip Festival going out of business and closing permanently

Abbotsford Tulip Festival going out of business and closing permanently
The outdoor event attracted up to 100-thousand visitors each year over six weeks from April to May who gathered to marvel at the 2.5 million rainbow coloured tulips in full bloom.

Abbotsford Tulip Festival going out of business and closing permanently