Ottawa has banned all direct flights from India and Pakistan for at least the next 30 days.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says it comes amid rising concerns over COVID-19 variants.
“Given the higher number of cases of COVID-19 detected in air passengers arriving in Canada from India and Pakistan, Transport Canada is issuing a Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM, to halt direct passenger air traffic from those countries,” Alghabra said during a news conference late Thursday.
Cargo flights will still be allowed to ensure the continued supply of vaccines, PPE and other essential items, said Alghabra.
There are also new restrictions for passengers who depart from India or Pakistan to Canada via an indirect route.
“[Passengers] will need to obtain a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test at their last point from departure,” said Alghabra.
The new restrictions go into effect at 11:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 22.
