In the wake of international and internal criticisms, Canada has back-pedalled on its African travel bans in advance of the timetable. Canada has lifted the ban on travel internationally for the 10 countries of Africa beginning on December 18 at 11:59 p.m.
The Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement on the 17th of December.
Canada initially introduced the ban on the 26th of November in seven African countries, but it was within days, it was expanded to 10 countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt.Canada will also reinstate the pre-arrival test for all visitors. In the present, Canadian residents can leave and return within 72 hours without the need for an COVID-19 test prior to their arrival. A negative test prior to arrival is required for all new arrivals into Canada beginning on the 21st of December.
The government claimed that the bans were introduced due to the high number of travelers being positive for coronavirus in these countries. But, African political leaders and researchers have criticised Canada for not including African countries as part of the ban, despite the Omicron variant was found throughout 44 countries by the time of its detection.
Canada was the only country in members of the Group of Seven nations to demand its citizens to return to Canada with a COVID-19 exam from a third-party country, however, this requirement was temporarily removed to South Africa. Additionally, the federal government requires travelers who are able to travel to Canada from these countries to pass a negative COVID-19 result in another country prior to boarding and makes getting into Canada nearly impossible. This weekend the government halted this condition in South Africa.
Canada’s ban along with other restrictions from Western countries , was dubbed “travel apartheid.” The World Health Organization Director-Genera Tendros Adhanom Ghebrevesus stated that the guidelines were disappointing. Advocates within Canada are also calling for the ban to be lifted. In the middle of December the two most prestigious Canadian doctors were asked to explain why they would continue this ban replied that there was no reason, while the other suggested that the bans must be reconsidered.
