December 20, 2020 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada
Canada’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is guided by the most recent science and research. The Government of Canada is closely monitoring the genetic variant of the virus causing COVID-19 that has been detected in the United Kingdom. It is also working with its international partners, in particular with the World Health Organization, to better understand this variant and its repercussions.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister convened the Incident Response Group to discuss the new variant of COVID-19 detected in the UK. Minister of Health Patty Hajdu Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair Minister of Transport Marc Garneau President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne, took part in the meeting.
You’d have to expect a genetic variant of a virus like the one that causes COVID-19 to manifest itself. Indeed, this phenomenon had already been observed in certain regions of the globe this year. Although preliminary data suggests that the variant detected in the UK may be more infectious, there is no evidence so far that the mutations influence symptom severity, immune response or vaccine effectiveness.
At this time, however, there is little evidence, and more research is needed in Canada and elsewhere. In view of the high number of identified cases of a variant of the COVID-19 virus in parts of the UK, we have made the decision to suspend entry into Canada of all commercial and private passenger flights from UK for 72 hours from midnight tonight.
Canada has put in place robust travel restrictions and border measures since March 2020, including mandatory quarantine measures that require travelers to go into quarantine or isolation for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. These measures remain in place.
In addition, passengers who arrived in Canada today from the UK are now subject to secondary screening and increased action, including a thorough check of their quarantine plan. Passengers who have recently arrived from the United Kingdom will also receive new instructions from the Government of Canada.
Citations
“Our government will continue to do whatever it takes to protect the health of Canadians. These additional measures will give public health authorities time to collect more data and help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. “
The Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health
“It is essential for the health and safety of all Canadians that we continue to quickly adapt our border measures to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Canada Border Services Agency officers remain vigilant and are ready to implement these enhanced border measures to protect Canadians. “
Hon. Bill Blair, Minister of Public Health and Emergency Preparedness
“Our government is committed to protecting the safety and security of Canadians and the transportation system. The advisory we released today, which temporarily bans flights from the UK to Canada, will reduce the risk to the public health of Canadians. “
The Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
Highlights
- Although no cases related to this new strain have been identified in Canada, efforts are continuing to determine if this variant is present or if it has already been observed in Canada. The Canadian and global medical, public health, and research communities are actively analyzing mutations to better understand their potential implications for transmission, clinical manifestation and vaccine development. .
- The Government of Canada has provided $ 40 million to support the creation of the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (RCanGéCO) to better understand the genetic variations of the virus as it evolves.
- Canadians are advised to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada and cruises until further notice. The general official warning, the cruise ship warning and travel health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic are still in effect.
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