Canada is lifting the ban on direct flights to India next week.

India air travellers will once again be able to come to Canada starting at midnight on September 27, according to a media release. Travellers will still have to comply with public health measures, such as testing requirements, and possibly quarantine.

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There will still be additional measures for travellers coming directly to India:

• Travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test from the approved Genestrings Laboratory at the Delhi airport taken within 18 hours of the scheduled departure of their direct flight to Canada.
• Prior to boarding, air operators will be checking the travellers’ test results ensuring they are eligible to come to Canada, and that fully vaccinated travellers have uploaded their information into the ArriveCAN mobile app or website. Travellers who are unable to meet these requirements will be denied boarding.

On September 22, there will be three direct flights from India arriving in Canada. All passengers on these flights will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival to ensure that the new measures are working.

Also, after direct flights resume, travellers from India who take an indirect route will still need a negative COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of departure, before continuing their journey to Canada.

Canada originally halted direct passenger and commercial flights between India in April, while both countries were experiencing high counts of coronavirus. Since then, only cargo operations, medical transfers, or military flights have been allowed to go directly between the two countries.

Canada also has a ban on direct flights with Morocco, which is in effect until September 29.

What to know before you go to Canada during the pandemic

Canada opened its border to fully vaccinated tourists from all countries on September 7. In order to qualify for the exemption from quarantine, travellers need to provide border officers with a negative COVID-19 test, and proof of vaccination of a vaccine that has been approved in Canada. Travellers also need a 14-day quarantine plan, just in case.

All travellers coming to Canada need to use the ArriveCAN mobile or web application to submit their personal and travel information. When they arrive at the border, they may not have any symptoms of the virus, and provide a negative COVID-19 test. If they want to be exempt from quarantine, or travel to Canada for a non-essential reason, they will need to show that they are fully vaccinated with a Canada-approved vaccine such as: Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen (Johnston & Johnson).

Regardless of country of origin, new arrivals will need to show a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result, even if they are fully vaccinated. Travellers may also be selected at random to conduct a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

Those who are not considered fully vaccinated will only be allowed to travel to Canada for essential reasons, such as work, family reunification, school, compassionate reasons, or immigration. Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as their families, who are not fully vaccinated will still be allowed to enter, however, they may have to quarantine at home.

Unvaccinated individuals under age 12 will be allowed to enter Canada without needing to quarantine if their parent or guardian is fully vaccinated and is accompanying them.

Foreign nationals who are not vaccinated are not allowed to enter Canada. Those who are allowed to enter Canada include temporary workers, international students, diplomats and other individuals who are traveling for an essential reason. These individuals are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival if they are not fully vaccinated.

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