21.93°C Vancouver

Dec 21, 2020 4:39 PM -

Canada restricts travel from U.K. due to new strain of virus that causes COVID-19

Share On
canada-restricts-travel-from-u-k-due-to-new-strain-of-virus-that-causes-covid-19
A woman wears a face mask as she steps out of Bank underground station, in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

The Trudeau government is restricting travel from the U.K. in an effort to prevent a new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 from making it to Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the move comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. and will last for 72 hours.

The move doesn't apply to cargo flights or stops where passengers do not disembark, according to a Notice to Airmen.

It comes after a closed-door meeting with members of the Incident Response Team.

The ministers of health, transport, foreign affairs, intergovernmental affairs and public safety were all in attendance.

Several European countries announced earlier that they would close their borders to the U.K. as British officials struggle to contain the new strain, which has been blamed on a genetic mutation and led to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Latest news

CanadaSep 01, 2026

Canada Appoints Indo-Canadian Investment Expert Gurinder Grewal as Invest in Canada CEO

The Canadian government has announced a major leadership change at Invest in Canada, the federal agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, as the country looks to bring in $1 trillion in total investment over the next five years. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Indo-Canadian investment expert Gurinder Grewal as the new Chief Executive Officer of Invest in Canada. Grewal will serve a five-year, full-time term. At the same time, former Canadian ambassador to China Dominic Barton has been appointed Chair of the agency’s Board of Directors for a three-year, part-time
liberals-win-three-federal-byelections-strengthen-majority-government
CanadaSep 01, 2026

Liberals win three federal byelections, strengthen majority government

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won all three federal byelections held Monday, increasing its strength in the House of Commons and securing a majority government. The most notable result came in Quebec’s Chicoutimi–Le Fjord riding, where Liberal candidate won the seat from the Conservatives. The Liberals also retained the Ontario riding of Beaches–East York and British Columbia’s North Vancouver–Capilano. The three victories bring the Liberals’ total to 173 seats in the House of Commons, according to the results provided. That is one seat above the number required to h
BCAug 31, 2026

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can
nepal-tibet-flood-death-toll-rises-to-955-over-3-900-still-missing
WorldAug 31, 2026

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards
bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-interest-rate-at-2-25-rate-hikes-possible-in-2027
CanadaAug 31, 2026

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit

Related News