Statement from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada on Aug.

11, 2021

Q1.      This ban is said to be in the interest of Canadians’ safety. Can you explain how
you reached this conclusion? My understanding is India’s high numbers from its Delta-
driven second-wave have plunged.

 Despite the significant decline in daily case numbers, India is still among the top
countries for the absolute number of cases reported and only a small proportion of the
population is vaccinated. The level of COVID-19 activity is still high and comparable to
the level observed when there was a consistently high number of imported cases into
Canada from India, which triggered advice to implement the notice to airmen (NOTAM).

Q2.      It’s possible that the numbers in India are rising again, so would this not have
been a good window to open up travel even if briefly before the number shoot up, to
allow Canadians some relief?

 If the NOTAM is lifted, it is estimated that the number of imported cases could be
significant if travel volumes were to return to pre-NOTAM levels or likely higher, given
the travel season.  
 The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to monitor the situation in India and to
consider options for safely lifting the NOTAM.

Q3.      Given the rates of COVID in the U.S., with Delta as the dominant strain, how do
you reconcile opening travel from the U.S. while banning it from India?

 Like every other element of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 response, border
measures are based on available data, scientific evidence and monitoring of the
epidemiological situation both in Canada and internationally.
 As Canada reaches high levels of vaccination coverage in the Canadian population, and
illness severity and hospitalization rates continue to decline, the risks associated with
international travel will decrease. This approach allows the Government of Canada to
ease border measures in step with decreasing risk.
 Although an important consideration, the widespread presence of the Delta strain in
international jurisdictions is not the only consideration when implementing enhanced
border measures. In the face of increasing rates of COVID in the U.S., the percent of
travellers arriving from the USA that test positive with COVID at the border remains
significantly lower than what was observed from India prior to the implementation of the
NOTAM in April.
 In addition, effective August 9, 2021, Canada is only allowing entry to American citizens
and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the U.S., who have been fully
vaccinated with Government of Canada accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to
entering Canada for non-essential travel.