Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is leaving all options open regarding tighter international travel restrictions.
“We’re always open to strengthening them as necessary,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and expressed concern over new virus mutations first detected in the United Kingdom and Brazil.
The news came as Pfizer informed Ottawa that upcoming shipments of its COVID-19 vaccine would not be arriving as scheduled.
In a press release, Pfizer announced that the delay is being caused by upgrades to its vaccine producing facility in Belgium.
Over the past several months, Canadian travelers looking to escape the country’s harsh winters have come under intense criticism for perceived irresponsible behavior.
However, snowbirds have the law on their side as Section 6 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “Every citizen of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada.”
“It’s always a balance between allowing people to kind of live their lives and the government attempting to keep health crises under control,” said constitutional expert Kerri Froc in an interview with the CBC.
Since Jan. 7, all travelers to Canada, age 5 or older, have been compelled to demonstrate a negative laboratory test result for COVID‑19. Recently, 22 flights including five from Mexico, were found to be carrying COVID-infected passengers to Vancouver’s airport.
