Federal update on COVID-19 and revised measures to address Omicron variant – December 17, 2021

In a news conference on Parliament Hill, Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal minister of health, provides an update on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and revised measures to address the Omicron variant. He is joined virtually by Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer. Canada is lifting the travel ban targeting 10 African countries, as of December 18. The federal government is also reintroducing the pre-arrival PCR test requirement as of December 21 for all incoming travellers to Canada. There had been a previous exemption for Canadians returning to the country after trips of 72 hours or less.