By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED November 30, 2021 4:47pmET
Canada will require all air passengers arriving from abroad to be tested for COVID-19, with the exception of U.S. flights, with vaccinated travelers forced to isolate until they have a negative result as uncertainty remains over the Omicron variant.
Federal ministers also announced the addition of Egypt, Malawi, and Nigeria to the list of African countries facing travel restrictions.
And the government has asked the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to issue prompt guidance on how the Omicron variant might influence booster shots.
WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE:
Here's what the prime minister told reporters this morning:
"Obviously we're watching very, very closely the situation with Omicron," PM Trudeau tells reporters as he enters cabinet meeting. Outlining travel measures already in place, PM says "there may be more we need to do and we'll be looking at it very carefully."#cdnpoli | #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/X2gSvQfgJ0
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 30, 2021
Late last week the government banned the entry of foreign nationals who had recently travelled to southern Africa and mandated a quarantine for Canadians who spent time in the region, including South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wants the government to focus instead on testing, quarantine measures, and ensuring global equity for vaccines:
Asked about Canada's response to Omicron variant, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says testing and quarantining may be more effective tool than flight bans; adds global vaccination is number one tool and Canada has to take role in pushing for vaccine patents waiver.#cdnpoli | #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/VjJ2WgPdjS
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 30, 2021
Watch Singh's full news conference:
Dr. Peter Jüni, epidemiologist and scientific director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, said Canadians must remain vigilant, warning that the Omicron variant is “about to take over the world."
Watch yesterday's full PrimeTime Politics interview with Peter Van Dusen:
In the House of Commons: more debate on the Speech from the Throne, starting with remarks by Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to attend this afternoon's question period (2:15pm ET / 11:15am PT).
