The federal government is imposing new travel restrictions in light of a new COVID variant that has developed in South Africa.
The federal health minister today announced that Canada is following other countries in imposing travel restrictions from seven countries in the southern portion of the African continent.
It’s all due to the B.11529 variant, a troubling new variant that appears to be even more transmissible than previous variants of concern.
The variant carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, which means it is more successful at evading the body’s immune response, and could be even more transmissible.
As of Thursday, some 100 cases were detected in South Africa, with two cases reported in Hong Kong, linked to a traveller from South Africa.
All foreign nationals who have travelled through a number of countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini in the last two weeks will not be allowed to enter Canada.
Canadians and permanent residents will be allowed to return home, but must isolate in a hotel until they receive a negative COVID test.
They will also be required to isolate at home for two weeks, even if the test is negative.
Meanwhile, provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says these are early days and Health Canada and the World Health Organization are keeping a very close eye on the variant to determine further public policy.
She says they are not sure what the development means here, but officials are watching closely and linking with international partners to make sure the latest information is being shared.
Earlier Story
Public Health officials are keeping a very close eye on a new and troubling COVID variant that has developed in South Africa.
The B.11529 variant, as it’s now known until it’s assigned a letter in the Greek alphabet, is reportedly even more virulent and easily spread that other variants of concern.
The variant carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, which means it is more successful at evading the body’s immune response, and could be even more transmissible.
As of Thursday, some 100 cases were detected in South Africa, with two cases reported in Hong Kong, linked to a traveller from South Africa.
The UK has imposed a ban on flights from six African countries, including South Africa, starting today.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says these are early days and Health Canada and the World Health Organization are keeping a very close eye on the variant to determine public policy.
She says they are not sure what the development means here, but officials are watching closely and linking with international partners to make sure the latest information is being shared.
The WHO has called a special meeting to discuss the new variant in South Africa. Separately, a number of countries are seeing a resurgence in COVID cases, particularly in Europe heading into to the busy holiday season.
