The federal government has announced stricter measures for international travelers as new variants of COVID-19 are emerging.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says working with air carriers, services to “sun” destinations are being suspended.

“Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and AirTransat are cancelling air service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico starting Sunday up until April 30,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau says all international flights will land at 4 airports, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

Trudeau also says Canadians arriving back in the country will be subject to mandatory testing.

“Travelers will then have to wait for up to three days at an approved hotel for their test results at their own expense — which is expected to be more than $2,000.”

Those testing negative will be allowed to quarantine at home, with increased surveillance, while those testing positive will be quarantined in government facilities.

For land travelers, Trudeau says more restrictions could be on the way.

“We will also — in the coming weeks — be requiring non-essential travelers to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the U.S.” Trudeau said. “We’re working to stand up additional testing requirements for land travel.”

While Trudeau admits only two-percent of new COVID-19 cases in Canada are coming from travel, these measures are to prevent spread of new variants of the vaccine that originated in the U.K. and South Africa.

{CJGX}