Canada’s Brand New Travel Restrictions Could Start As Early As Next Week

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has warned that Canada’s new travel restrictions could kick in as early as Thursday next week.

In an interview with Rosemary Barton Live on January 31, per CBC News, the federal official urged travellers to be prepared for new rules to come into place as of February 4, 2021.

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I would ask people to be prepared as soon as Feb. 4. Omar Alghabra

While he was unable to reveal the exact start date for the new protocol, which includes mandatory quarantine at government-approved hotels, Alghabra said Canadians should be “ready for it as soon as possible."

More specifically, he suggested being prepared for the restrictions to start as of February 4.

Alghabra’s comments come just days after the prime minister announced several new updates to Canada’s travel rules, including mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival in the country.

This is in addition to the negative test needed to board a flight into Canada — a requirement implemented at the start of 2021.

In the same interview, the minister admitted that the federal government had even considered banning all flights.

However, after thinking “very hard” about this option, officials concluded the move would “have had a detrimental impact on our delivery of essential products and services to Canada," Alghabra explained.