7.55°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

csis-warns-of-chinese-and-russian-espionage-targeting-canadas-arctic-development
CanadaNov 13, 2025

CSIS warns of Chinese and Russian espionage targeting Canada’s Arctic development

Canada’s top intelligence official says foreign spies from China and Russia are actively targeting governments and companies involved in developing the country’s Arctic region. In a national security address on Thursday, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Dan Rogers said his agency has observed sustained intelligence-gathering activities in the North, with both public institutions and private industry being approached or monitored by foreign actors. Rogers noted that non-Arctic countries, particularly China, are seeking to expand their economic and strategic presence in
suspect-arrested-after-multiple-vehicles-vandalized-in-new-westminsters-west-end
BCNov 13, 2025

Suspect arrested after multiple vehicles vandalized in New Westminster’s West End

New Westminster police say a man has been arrested following a string of property damage incidents that left at least 14 vehicles and two businesses with smashed windows in the city’s West End earlier this week. Officers first responded to the 1500 block of Dublin Street around 11:45 p.m. on November 11 after receiving a report of a car alarm. The vehicle’s owner found the window broken, and witnesses later reported a person on a bicycle damaging other vehicles in the area. Despite an initial search, police were unable to locate the suspect that night. About two hours later, officers were
ottawa-moves-closer-to-expanding-citizenship-rights-for-canadians-born-abroad
CanadaNov 13, 2025

Ottawa moves closer to expanding citizenship rights for Canadians born abroad

Canada is nearing a major reform to its citizenship laws that could restore and extend rights to thousands of people born outside the country. Bill C-3, which cleared the House of Commons on November 5 and passed second reading in the Senate the following day, is now scheduled for detailed study by a Senate committee on November 17. The proposed legislation aims to broaden citizenship by descent, addressing long-standing gaps that left many children of Canadian parents without automatic citizenship due to restrictive provisions in past laws. If passed, the bill would also make it easier for in
surrey-home-hit-by-second-extortion-linked-shooting-police-say
CanadaNov 13, 2025

Surrey home hit by second extortion-linked shooting, police say

Surrey RCMP are investigating after a home in the city’s south end was struck by gunfire for the second time in what investigators believe is an extortion-related attack. Police say officers responded to reports of shots fired around 7:35 p.m. Wednesday near 32 Avenue. No one was injured, but investigators confirmed the same residence had previously been targeted. Authorities say the case remains in its early stages and that officers are working with specialized units and partner agencies to determine whether the incident is connected to other recent extortion-related shootings across Metro
IndiaNov 13, 2025

Punjab Government Makes Approval Mandatory for Sarpanches and Panch Members to Travel Abroad

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy requiring village sarpanches and panchayat members to obtain official approval before travelling abroad. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has circulated instructions to all District Development and Panchayat Officers as well as Additional Deputy Commissioners across the state to ensure implementation. According to the directive, many elected representatives from panchayati raj institutions often travel overseas for personal reasons, which can delay or disrupt ongoing development work in villages. To prevent such administrative sl

Related News