Skip to main content

Canada-Avoid International Travels-Amid Omicron Threat

Canada advises against international travel amid Omicron threat.

TORONTO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Canada's government implored residents on Wednesday not to leave the country as provinces ramp up vaccinations to combat the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, even as efforts to head off a COVID-19 wave are complicated by public fatigue over the pandemic.

COVID-19 case numbers are increasing, with the national seven-day average of new cases at its highest point since Oct. 1, as Canadian hospitals struggle to clear backlogs from months of postponed procedures. Many exhausted staff members appear ill-equipped for another surge in infections.

"I say very clearly: Now is not the time to travel," Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told a news conference, adding it is clear there is community transmission of Omicron in Canada.

"I understand this sucks," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters as he urged Canadians to follow public health advice and "be careful during this holiday season. Get your kids their shots."

Children aged 5 to 11 had the highest infection rate of any age group in Ontario for the two weeks ended Tuesday.

Ontario will start offering a third shot of the vaccine to everyone over age 18 this week, while shortening the required gap between second and third doses to three months from six.

The province, Canada's most-populous, is also reducing capacity by half at indoor events with a capacity of at least 1,000, including sports activities, concerts and commercial film and television production.

Canada has banned travel from 10 African countries because of concerns about the new variant.
The federal government advised residents in March 2020 not to travel abroad unless necessary. It withdrew the notice this past October - before the first Omicron cases were reported - citing the success of vaccination campaigns.

Peter Juni, director of Ontario's COVID-19 science advisory table, urged people to take precautions, get vaccinated and not take Omicron lightly.

What really worries me is that people are asleep at the steering wheel, internationally," he said. "They have wishful thinking it will be mild. ... This is not a realistic attitude."

Scientists suspect Omicron is more transmissible given its rapid spread, although they caution it is too early to draw conclusions about its severity.

Credit: REUTERS 


Comments

  1. Unknown21 December 2021 at 06:29

    I think he is right ,except otherwise

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hermosa21 December 2021 at 21:43

    God help us 🥴🥴🥴🥴

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jokodola22 December 2021 at 04:34

    God heal our world

    ReplyDelete
  4. Austin Odidi28 December 2021 at 14:50

    Does black Africa have a corona virus pandemic in the real definition of a pandemic? The number of infections in black Africa is relatively low when compared to those of Europe and America. The number of COVID-19 related deaths in black Africa is low compared to deaths from malaria and other diseases. The number of COVID-19 deaths in black Africa is very low compared to Europe and America. Against this backdrop, I think Europe and America need not place travel ban on black Africa.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Type your comments here

Popular posts from this blog

The CBN Reverses Its Decision And Sets New Limit On New Naira Note Withdrawal

The Central Bank of Nigeria had initially stopped the withdrawal of the new Naira notes over the counter, directing commercial banks to instead dispense the cash through their Auto Teller Machines (ATM) to the public. Thursday, 2, February 2023, the apex bank has now backtracked on that decision, it is informing the commercial banks to resume over-the-counter withdrawal of the new N200, N500 and N1,000 notes. The Central Bank of Nigeria, has set a new directive of a maximum daily payout limit of N20,000, consisting of redesigned Naira notes, to each customer.  “In line with this resolve, the Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has directed deposit money banks (DMBs) to commence the payment of the redesigned Naira notes over the counter, subject to a maximum daily payout limit of N20,000.  “We also admonish members of the public to embrace and adopt other payment channels for their transactions.  “The Naira is our legal tender and symbol of national pride. Therefore, let us resp...
11 comments
Read more

GIST!

Music superstar, David Adedeji Adeleke with the stage name Davido, has paid the bride price of his fiancée Chioma Avril Rowland aka Chef. Davido and his family members, reiterated their intentions to marry Chioma by paying her bride price in full, in the presence of her entire family. Photos from Chioma's bride price payment have surfaced online. Chioma's dad can be seen in photos taking charge of things at the meeting. The yams, drinks, and other items were presented.  
Post a Comment
Read more

Festus Keyamo - I Do Not Have Any Information On Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Whereabouts, Speculations Triggered By Mischief

Festus Keyamo, spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress campaign council, has said that he is not aware of the current location of the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday night, October 5, Keyamo insist, that the controversy on his Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s whereabouts was triggered by mischief makers.  He pointed out that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, travels to Dubai and do not get the same media scrutiny. Keyamo said;  “Our candidate is not in the country currently and I don’t have any information on where he is. I know he will be back in a couple of days but I don’t know the particular day. “He is also not on a medical trip; I don’t have such information. It is not true that we have not started campaigns because the candidate is sick and is not around.” As per Tinubu’s viral workout video, Keyamo highlighted that; “As far as I am concerned it was done in r...
1 comment
Read more