Air Transat says it has temporarily laid off about 3,600 staff including all flight crew personnel.That's about 70 % of its workforce in Canada.The company says the final Air Transat flight prior to the full suspension of its operations is scheduled for April 1st.Non-essential travel around the world has come to a near standstill as governments close borders in an effort to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada won't be at this summer's Tokyo Olympics unless the Games are postponed by a year. The Canadian Olympic Committee sent out a statement Sunday evening saying it's refusing to send a team to Tokyo unless the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 24, are pushed back by 12 months. The COC's statement comes amid a chorus of criticism aimed at the International Olympic Committee's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. IOC president Thomas Bach said earlier Sunday that they'd set a deadline of four weeks to determine the fate of the Games, and that the global organization is considering opt

Vancouver City Council will convene on Monday for a Special Council Meeting to vote on an amendment to Vancouver’s emergency powers bylaw that will include enforcement of orders. As directed by the provincial health officer, all businesses that remain open must ensure appropriate social distancing for staff and patrons. Businesses that do not comply with this requirement will be subject to closure and fines. In addition to previously-announced facilities and playground closures, the Vancouver Park Board will also today begin closing parking lots at high-traffic outdoor destinations. These pa

Conservative leadership candidate Erin O'Toole is calling for the race to be suspended. O'Toole is the latest contender to suggest the party needs to delay the June 27 vote. He says he wants his volunteers and organizers to be able to focused on the COVID-19 response. He says he's not dropping out of the race, but he says the needs of fellow Canadians must come first

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is not at the point where the federal government needs to take emergency measures to force people to stay at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Trudeau says that provinces and local governments continue to take steps to restrict people's movements and the federal government stepping in is a last resort. “There are many things that are being done and can be done at the local level, at the municipal level and at the provincial level. The federal Emergencies Act is a significant step that can and should be taken when we've exhausted all other steps,'' T

In line Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Janta Curfew', all the shops of RK Ashram are closed from Friday evening. The most crowded market of Delhi RK Ashram looked so empty and isolated as all the markets are shut in a bid to prevent community transmission of novel coronavirus. Yogesh Kumar, a shop owner in RK Ashram said: "All the shops are closed here since March 20, 8 PM. We all are following the directions given by the government. I know there will be a loss in the business but it's not big than life." He said that he has closed the shop for two days now and will further shut it d

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 8.42a.m. on March 23, 2020: There are 1563 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. British Columbia: 424 confirmed (including 10 deaths, 6 resolved)Ontario: 503 confirmed (including 6 deaths, 8 resolved)Alberta: 259 confirmed (including 1 death)Quebec: 219 confirmed (including 4 deaths, 1 resolved)Saskatchewan: 33 confirmed, 19 presumptiveNova Scotia: 41 confirmedManitoba: 11 confirmed, 9 presumptiveNew Brunswick: 8 confirmed, 9 presumptiveCanadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 13 confirmedNewfoundland and Labrado

British Columbia's housing minister says help is on the way to ensure renters are not evicted as the province cracks down on the spread of the new coronavirus. Selina Robinson says the B.C. government is banning evictions for non-payment of rent in buildings funded by BC Housing. Details are expected to be provided next week by Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James.

British Columbia's provincial health officer says there are 74 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, bringing the total to 424. Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are 27 people in hospital, 12 of whom are in intensive care. Six people have recovered. She says there has also been another death associated with the Lynn Valley long-term care home in North Vancouver. Henry says the province is ordering all personal service establishments to close, including salons, spas, and massage and tattoo parlours.