Coronavirus Update: Canada needs plan for vaccinated travellers, airlines say

Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.

Top headlines:

1. The European Union moved to reopen for vaccinated tourists, prompting Canadian airlines to push for similar, relaxed restrictions
2. As Britain reopens, the government is under fire for sending mixed signals about whether people should take vacations
3. A third mink farm in B.C. is in quarantine after a mink tested positive

In the last 7 days, 36,613 cases were reported, down 24 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 300 deaths announced, down 5 per cent over the same period. At least 3,370 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,255,713 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th among 84 countries with a population of one million or more people.

Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.

Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening • Vaccine distribution plan • Four vaccines approved in Canada • Essential resources

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Coronavirus in Canada

• The Ministry of Agriculture in British Columbia is investigating after one mink on a farm tested positive.
• Ontario hospitals will begin gradually resuming non-urgent surgeries as COVID-19 cases in the province continue to decline. The province reported 1,588 new infections today.
• Quebec’s Health Minister expressed confidence that Montreal will be able to reopen with the rest of the province as part of the restart plan announced yesterday. The province reported 584 new cases of COVID-19 and eight more deaths today.
• A credit-rating firm downgraded Alberta’s financial standing, saying the coronavirus pandemic hurt the province’s financial position more than expected.

Canadians attempting to drive across the U.S. border solely for a COVID-19 vaccination, even with a doctor’s referral, would be denied entry, the U.S. border agency said today.

• The U.S. agency said it, unlike the Canadian government, does not consider a vaccine to be an essential reason for entering the country.
• Earlier this week, Canada’s public-health agency said crossing the border for a vaccine on the referral of a health care provider is an essential medical service.

Dany Fortin: The investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct against Major-General Dany Fortin, who oversaw Canada’s vaccination campaign, has been referred to Quebec’s prosecution service.

Coronavirus around the world

• Britain has been grappling with how to reopen the economy and satisfy the public’s desire to travel while also ensuring that new variants of the COVID-19 virus aren’t imported. And, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the British government is confident that vaccines work against the coronavirus variant first associated with India.
• Malawi destroyed 19,610 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines that expired 18 days after arriving, despite assurances from the World Health Organization.
• A coronavirus resurgence is setting back most of Asia.
• India recorded another grim milestone today –the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.

Coronavirus and business

The council representing Canada’s largest airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat, is calling on Ottawa to outline clear plans for resuming international travelling.

• The European Union today agreed to a plan that would allow travel among member countries for fully vaccinated tourists.
• The National Airlines Council of Canada said Canada should follow the EU’s “science-based approach” on travel restrictions.

Also today: The Canada Energy Regulator said pandemic restrictions resulted in a decrease of fossil fuel use of almost 15 per cent compared to the previous year.

And: A top court vetoed the EU’s approval of €3.4-billion in state aid for the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, stating that the pandemic’s impact on the airline industry wasn’t a complete reason.

More reporting

• Quebec Premier François Legault has announced the province’s plans to end the COVID-19 curfew in late May
• The Decibel: A COVID-19 surge in Japan won’t stop the Olympics. Cathal Kelly explains why
• Watch: EU to ease travel restrictions on foreign tourists
• Watch: Canadians line up at U.S. border for COVID-19 shots

Information centre

• How well do vaccines work? Here’s what you need to know.
• Rob Carrick’s 10-point checklist of things you should have done by now to protect or improve your money situation. Tips for minimizing damage to your credit score; how to manage retirement anxiety during difficult times; and things to think about if you’re considering home delivery.
• Here are the expectations for self-isolation; tips for managing anxiety and protecting your mental health; and what to do if you think you have the virus. Wash your hands. How to break a bad habit (like touching your face). Is flying safe?
• The best foods to eat to maintain an immune system-friendly diet; and how to keep a healthy diet while working from home; four eating tips when working from home; and five mistakes that might cause you to gain unwanted weight. Here are the essentials to stock up on and how to shop safely for groceries; the best pantry staples and how to stop stress-eating.
• Find answers to your coronavirus and employment questions.

Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.

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