Canada prematurely lifted its entry ban to Africa

Canada has lifted the international travel ban from 10 African countries, which will go into effect on December 18 at 11:59 p.m.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced it on December 17th.

Canada first introduced the ban on November 26 for seven African countries, but within a few days it was extended to 10 countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swatini, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt. The ban was originally supposed to end on January 31st.

Canada will also introduce pre-arrival testing for all new travelers. Currently, Canadians can leave and return within 72 hours without taking the Covid-19 test prior to arrival. Starting December 21, all newcomers to Canada will be required to take a negative entry test.

The government said the ban was initially imposed because of the high number of travelers from countries that tested positive for Corona. However, African politicians and researchers criticized Canada for banning only African countries, even though the Omicron was discovered in 44 countries at the time.

Canada was also the only G7 country to require its citizens to return from a third country with COVID-19 tests, although that requirement has been temporarily suspended for South Africa.

The federal government also requires travelers who are still allowed to enter Canada to take a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a third country - which, according to passengers, makes it almost impossible to enter Canada. At the weekend the government suspended the condition for South Africa.

The Canadian ban, along with other Western bans, came to be known as "travel apartheid". Jenira Tendros Adhanum Gabrisos, director of the World Health Organization, said the rules are disappointing. Canadian attorneys have also called for an end to the law.

When two leading Canadian doctors were asked in mid-December why the ban was being extended, one said there was no ban and the other said the ban should be reconsidered.

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