Doug Ford Says The UK's New Strain Of COVID-19 Is A Massive Threat

Doug Ford is gravely concerned about the U.K.'s new strain of COVID-19 getting into Ontario.

The premier, who has repeatedly denounced the federal government's response to international travel, called the new mutation a "massive threat" on Tuesday.

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This new strain of COVID-19 is a massive threat that we can't take lightly.  Doug Ford 

"We need to do everything we can to keep it from getting into Canada," he said.

Ford noted that over 60,000 international passengers are arriving at Toronto's Pearson Airport every week and called on Trudeau's government to increase measures.

The premier said that travellers are given "minimal checks" upon entering the province.

"We just can't take unnecessary risks, we are all doing our part in Ontario, people here are shouldering a terrible burden," he continued.

Ford said this week that he's prepared to take matters into his own hands by installing checkpoints outside of Pearson Airport to have international travellers tested.

Public health officials confirmed to Narcity on Monday that the U.K.'s new variant of COVID-19 has not been detected in Ontario yet.

The World Health Organization has reported that while the strain is "highly infectious," it is not considered more lethal.

However, expert Dr. Colin Furness told Narcity that "if we wait long enough, it becomes increasingly likely that the virus will evolve to avoid the vaccine."