Canada extends ban on direct passenger flights from India till Sept 26

“Once the restriction on direct flights expires, travellers eligible to enter Canada will be able to board direct flights from India to Canada,” Transport Canada said in a statement.

In a fresh set of guidelines, Canada said that Indian passengers are required to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test from the approved laboratory at the Delhi airport taken within 18 hours of the scheduled departure.

“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,” the statement added.

Travellers who are unable to meet these requirements will be denied boarding.

“After the resumption of direct flights, travellers who are eligible to enter Canada who depart India for Canada via an indirect route will continue to be required to obtain, within 72 hours of departure, a valid negative COVID-19 molecular test from a third country – other than India – before continuing their journey to Canada,” the department said.

The ban on flights from India was first put in place on April 22 during the deadly second wave of Covid-19 in the country.