A new variant coming out of South Africa is concerning for health officials.
Doug Ford today spoke to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health;
I was just briefed by Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, about the new variant that’s been found in several countries in Africa that early reports suggest could be vaccine resistant. I have contacted the federal government to express my extreme concern about the risks it poses and the need for immediate action today.
Ford wants the Prime Minister to act quickly and ban all flights from countries of concern.
Federal Conservative Leader, Erin O’Toole, is asking for the same measures to be taken;
With reports of the spread of a new COVID-19 variant, we have a small window of opportunity to act, and we must move now. Canada’s Conservatives are calling on Justin Trudeau to secure Canada’s borders, and immediately implement the following temporary measures:
- Update the existing Government of Canada travel advisory for affected countries to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, and put in place a ban on non-essential travel to and from these countries of concern;
- Mandatory screening at all international airports from affected countries, regardless of vaccination status; and,
- Mandatory quarantining for travellers for those countries, regardless of vaccination status.
A statement from the Minister of Health and other government officials are making a statement today.
