Omicron threat: Canada likely to announce new travel guidelines

OTTAWA: Canada is likely to reinstate its advisory against all non-essential travel outside the country while reversing relaxations like those for foreign nationals entering the country, due to the potential impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, a development the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as “scary”.

Many measures that eased as vaccination rates increased could be rolled back in an announcement that is expected soon. Among them is barring fully vaccinated foreign nationals from travelling to the country, according to the outlet CBC News. Such travellers were allowed since September 7 this year. Similarly, while the government officially withdrew its advisory against non-essential travel by Canadian citizens and permanent residents outside the country this October, that is likely to make a comeback, according to the outlet CTV News.