Maple News reports that the Canadian government is prolonging its restriction on direct flights from India due to ongoing public health concerns. The suspension, which initially began in April 2021 following a surge in COVID-19 cases among incoming travelers from India, will now remain in place until at least September 21, 2021.
According to Transport Canada, the ban affects all direct commercial and private passenger flights. Exemptions continue to apply strictly to cargo shipments, medical transfers, and military flights. This decision follows a comprehensive review of public health data and is part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
Travelers from India seeking to enter Canada must now take indirect routes. Moreover, all incoming passengers—regardless of immigration status—are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test conducted in a third country within 72 hours of their final departure to Canada. This additional layer of travel logistics is resulting in increased planning and expenses for affected travelers.
The extended ban comes at a pivotal time, as Canadian borders prepare to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists from around the world beginning September 7. Those who have received Health Canada-approved vaccines, including AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, may be allowed entry for non-essential reasons. However, individuals vaccinated with non-approved vaccines such as Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will continue to face entry restrictions unless exempt under other criteria.
International students from India—who represent nearly 30% of all international students in Canada—are among those significantly impacted by the extension. Although students enrolled in COVID-19-ready designated learning institutions (DLIs) are exempt from the general travel ban, the lack of direct flights means additional costs and inconvenience at a time when many schools are transitioning back to in-person classes.
Fully vaccinated travelers allowed into Canada may be exempt from quarantine and post-arrival testing, but they must still present a pre-arrival COVID-19 test and a suitable quarantine plan. These measures are part of Canada’s broader strategy to manage safe travel amid ongoing pandemic-related challenges.
Officials, including Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, emphasized that maintaining public health remains the top priority. “After reviewing public health data, we have decided to extend the direct flight ban between Canada and India until September 21st,” Alghabra stated publicly.
As global vaccine distribution continues and variants are monitored, Canada’s travel policies remain under ongoing assessment. Further updates may follow based on evolving health conditions worldwide.