The Canadian government said on Tuesday its border containment measures were effective, as a travel ban with the US was extended.
Justin Trudeau, prime minister, defended Ottawa’s protection efforts, but warned bans could be imposed on incoming flights from specific countries, such as India.
The ban on nonessential travel between the US and Canada has been extended until at least May 21, as Canadian provinces consider internal travel curbs to halt a Covid-19 surge, including new variants of the disease.
“As cases rise and variants of concern continue to emerge across the country, we will continue to do what it takes — for as long as it takes — to keep Canadians safe,” Bill Blair, Canada’s public safety minister, said on Tuesday.
Canada’s top doctor said that more than 66,000 “variant of concern cases” have been reported across Canada. Most are the B.1.1.7 variant first seen in the UK.
“These represent the tip of the iceberg, as there are many thousands more Covid-19 cases that have screened positive for problematic mutations,” Theresa Tam, chief public health…
