COVID-19 pandemic.In the announcement made on Thursday, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says cruise vessels carrying 100 or more people will remain prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.Alghabra says the cruise ships pose a risk to Canadian health-care systems and the ban will allow health authorities to continue to focus on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and contain the spread of any new COVID-19 variants.“Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems,” said Alghabra in a press release, accompanying the decision.“This is the right and responsible thing to do.” COVID-19 expected to impact.