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“We ask Canadians to be careful around Christmas time. If you don’t have to travel internationally, please don’t, “said the Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs

Author of the article:

Ryan Tumilty

Publication date:

Dec 15, 2021 • 27 minutes ago • 3 minutes read • 155 Comments Last week the government put in place several new travel-related measures, including requiring all incoming travelers, except those coming from the United States, to undergo a COVID test, regardless of their vaccination status. Last week the government put in place several new travel-related measures, including requiring all incoming travelers, except those coming from the United States, to undergo a COVID test, regardless of their vaccination status. Photo by Peter J. Thompson / National Post Files

OTTAWA – The federal government is warning Canadians not to travel because of the increasing threat posed by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

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Liberal Cabinet Ministers announced on Wednesday that Canadians should stay home over the holidays and travel could not only expose them to the virus but also run the risk of being stranded overseas.

“Now is not the time to travel,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “Traveling Canadians could contract the virus or get stranded overseas.

“The rapid spread of the Omicron variant on a global scale makes us fear the worst for Canadians thinking about travel.”

“We ask Canadians to be careful around Christmas time. If you do not have to travel internationally, please do not do so, “Minister for Government Affairs Dominic Leblanc told a press conference on Wednesday.

The recommendation against unnecessary travel is less than what the government reportedly considered, which included stricter measures like expanded testing or even banning foreigners from entering Canada.

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Duclos stressed that leaving the country is now a risk from the virus, but also due to the possibility that other countries will take similar measures.

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Last week the government put in place several new travel-related measures, including requiring all incoming travelers, except those coming from the United States, to undergo a COVID test, regardless of their vaccination status.

Duclos said the measures already taken by the government will limit the import of Omicron cases.

“We have significantly reduced the import of Omicron to Canada due to our very strict measures at the borders. Among all comparable countries, we are in Canada, one of the countries – if not the country – with the strictest border measures. “

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The travel arrangements were discussed with the provincial prime ministers on Wednesday evening. Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney said there was fairly broad consensus that given the pre-existing proliferation of omicron in the community, there was little point in taking even stricter measures, especially given that air travel is already vaccinated -, mask and test requirements are connected.

“We know we have Omicron in Canada. We have a community broadcast from Omicron, ”he said.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said the federal government is focused on moving within its constitutional remit, but now there needs to be a stronger focus on action within the country.

“We now know the virus is in our community and many public health resources need to focus on it. At the same time, the federal government responsible for the international border is considering even more protective measures, ”she said. “You had one of these today in relation to recommending non-essential travel and I think other measures are being actively discussed right now.”

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Duclos said the government is pushing for faster tests in the provinces, with 35 million arriving in the provinces or soon and more being sent along the way. He also said Canada now has 16 million doses of COVID vaccine booster doses, and millions more could arrive in the next few weeks.

Canada reported about 4,300 cases on Wednesday, about twice the number of cases earlier in the month, with new cases of the Omicron variant now emerging in most parts of the country.

Canada’s highest peak in daily cases was around 10,000 cases as of January this year.

Tam said initial results show that vaccines offer good protection against serious consequences, but may not completely prevent people from getting sick.

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“At this point we know that even with two doses, there is a chance that you could get infected and passed on to others, although the vaccine appears to offer good protection from serious consequences,” she said.

Tam said that with the virus spreading so quickly, people should keep the celebrations small and do everything possible to reduce their exposure.

“You can reduce your risk, but probably not completely, as a precautionary measure to avoid mass build-ups.”

Shortly after the state announcement, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced plans to limit large-scale events such as concerts and NHL games to 50 percent of the approved capacity.

• Email: rtumilty@postmedia.com | Twitter:

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