Canada extends India flight ban till August 21

Canada has extended the ban on flights from India till August 21, the Government of Canada announced on Tuesday.

It will begin letting fully vaccinated US citizens into Canada on August 9, and those from the rest of the world on September 7.

Canadian officials also announced that children who aren't vaccinated but are travelling with vaccinated parents won't have to quarantine, but will have to avoid group activities including schools and daycare centers.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said a ban on direct flights from India will be extended to August 21 because of the delta variant. “The situation in India is still very serious,” he said.

Trudeau said last week that Canada could start allowing fully vaccinated Americans into the country as of mid-August for nonessential travel and should be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travellers from all countries by early September.

Canada leads G20 countries in vaccination rates, with approximately 80% of eligible Canadians vaccinated with their first dose and over 50% of those eligible fully vaccinated.

(With AFP inputs)