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Last week, Canada for all direct passenger and business flights from India until July 21, 2021.
Canada first introduced the travel ban on both India and Pakistan on April 22聽amid concerns about聽rising cases of聽 variants.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada鈥檚 chief public health officer had said that the variant in India shows increased transmissibility.
The initial travel ban for both of the South Asian countries was due to end on May 22, but it was extended another 30 days. It was lifted for Pakistan on June 21.
鈥淕iven the number of COVID-19 cases continue to be very high in India, we have extended our flight restrictions for this country,鈥� Omar聽Alghabra, Canada鈥檚 transport minister said, 鈥淲e will continue to assess the evolving situation and determine appropriate action going forward.
Canada easing travel rules
Canada recently expanded its travel exemptions to holders of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document. This means that holders of a valid COPR can travel to Canada.聽Those who hold聽an expired COPR will have to wait until Canada announces聽how they can renew their documents.
COPR holders were not among exempted individuals when Canada imposed its travel restrictions in March 2020.
In addition, Canada eased its quarantine requirements on fully vaccinated聽travellers聽who are already exempt from travel restrictions聽beginning on July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.聽These聽travellers聽will still need to take a COVID-19 test pre- and upon arrival. However, they聽will not need to stay at a government-approved hotel, and will not need to quarantine. In addition, they聽are not required to take a COVID-19 test on day-8.
Canadians and permanent residents and their family members,聽valid COPR holders,聽some temporary foreign workers as well as international students who attend a designated learning institution that has a COVID-19 readiness plan聽are exempt from the current travel restrictions and are allowed to travel to Canada.
What Canada considers before easing restrictions
Canada takes into account the daily COVID-19 case counts, both in Canada and abroad, as well as the percentage of the population who have received a dose of the vaccine. It also considers the rising cases of COVID-19 variants.
Last week,聽Bill Blair, Canada鈥檚 minister of public safety,聽said that the Canadian government is working steadily towards a phased reopening of the border, but that to reach the 鈥渇inish line鈥�, about 75 per cent of Canadians will need to be fully vaccinated.
Canada鈥檚 COVID-19 situation has significantly improved. This is why Canada will begin its phased reopening plan by lifting the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated聽travellers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canada will lift more restrictions in the coming weeks.
鈥淲e certainly hope鈥� that we will have more good news about reopenings in the coming weeks but, of course, it depends on the vaccination rate, the COVID situation in general, the variants of concern and what鈥檚 happening elsewhere,鈥� said Trudeau in French during a press conference on June 22.
Canada also takes the views of stakeholders into consideration. For example, it worked with (DLIs), such as colleges and universities,聽and eased restrictions on study permit holders in October 2020.
Similarly, Canada will likely take the views of聽DLIs into account when it comes to India鈥檚 travel ban. Indian students account for some 30 per cent of all of Canada鈥檚 international students. September is when the majority of new study permit holders start their programs in Canada.聽Many students usually arrive in August.
Canada looking to welcome increasing number of immigrants
Canada is also looking to pursue an ambition , as it seeks to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents this year. Some 20 per cent come from India each year.
Lifting the travel ban and allowing Indian travellers to come to Canada will be vital to achieving the immigration targets in support of Canada鈥檚 post-pandemic recovery.
Assuming positive trends continue in Canada and India, it is highly likely that the India travel ban will be lifted in July, and by August at the very latest.
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