The Canadian government is set to suspend the entry of international students and non-essential travelers bound for Ontario due to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
This was announced by the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, the same day Ontario Governor Doug Ford pleaded with him to do more to quash the pandemic’s third wave currently sweeping the province.
No other details were disclosed as to when the suspension will take into effect or how long it will last. This suspension only applies to Ontario and no other province is expected to follow.
At present, international students are exempted from Canada’s COVID-related travel restrictions. Although, they are subject to the same testing and quarantine requirements that are mandatory for travelers going into Canada. However, once the suspension takes effect, hundreds of thousands of international students bound for Ontario are likely to be affected.
Ontario is Canada’s worst-hit province and is incidentally also the province with the most number of international students. The current count is 242,825.
Ontario Coronavirus Situation on the Ground
There were 3,887 new cases reported in Ontario last Friday, April 30 alone, more than any other province in Canada. Hospital admission is also at an all-time high with 2,400 people hospitalized.
Nevertheless, Ontario officials are anticipating that everyone over the age of 18 will be able to book a coronavirus vaccine by May 24.
This story will be updated once new details emerge.
Read more:
- IRCC Expands SDS to 7 New Countries
- Eligible International Students Remain Welcome in Ontario
- New Student Rules in Entering Canada Raised as Vax Campaigns Ensue
- Canada Allows Entrance of Vaccinated Int’l Students
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