Emergence of the Omicron variant should be a big, red, flashing part of the radar screen for anyone planning a trip outside Canada: Jean-Yves Duclos

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 should be a big, red, flashing part of the radar screen for anyone planning a trip outside Canada.

Duclos says while Omicron is still relatively rare here, it is a different story in other countries, where governments are re-imposing lockdowns and tightening public health restrictions.

And he's warning anyone thinking of leaving Canada for a winter vacation that they will face delays and hassles on their return.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says there have been 87 confirmed cases of Omicron in Canada so far, and that all have been either asymptomatic or mild.