Canada has extended its ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan until June 21 to help control the spread of new variants of the novel coronavirus. Alghabra said the restriction was put in place "based on public health advice to reduce the importation risk of COVID-19 and its variants." Last week, Air Canada proactively extended the flight ban from India in anticipation of the government's announcement. Air Canada does not fly to Pakistan. Between Feb. 22 and May 6, 279 air travellers tested positive for that variant, PHAC data show.

Source: CBC News May 21, 2021 13:03 UTC