A new COVID-19 variant of concern first identified in South Africa has prompted Canada to bring in new travel restrictions — though some experts have suggested that the mutant virus is likely already here and that we should instead be focusing on international aid.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Friday afternoon that the Canadian government would be introducing a total of five measures to limit the spread of the new variant — including entry to foreign nationals who’ve travelled through a handful of African countries in the past 14 days.
The mutation, known as B.1.1.529 and named Omicron, was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern earlier Friday shortly after worrying reports of the