OTTAWA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Canada will lift a ban on travelers from 10 African nations that was imposed last month as part of a campaign to fight the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said on Friday.

Duclos also told reporters that Canada would once again require people returning home after foreign trips of less than 72 hours to produce a negative test. Tour operators say the measure is onerous and deters travel.


COVID-19 case numbers are rapidly increasing in Canada and the federal government has implored residents to avoid international trips. read more

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Critics said the ban on people who had recently been to South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and seven other nations made no sense given the rapid spread of the variant.


"While we recognize the controversial nature of such a prohibition, we believe it was a necessary measure to slow the arrival of Omicron in Canada and buy us some time," said Duclos.

"Given the current situation, this measure has served its purpose and is no longer needed."

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

SavageResponse:


Na wetin African countries dey export sef?

If trully African countries ate so export oriented why then is it that they are all having negative balance of payments when compared to the western world?

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

SavageResponse:


Na wetin African countries dey export sef?

ATEAMS:
After I called the president

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense

passion007:
UK and Canada banned African countries over omicron then they realised omicron is spreading so fast in their countries already with over 6000 cases per day in the UK. Then they open back the borders and ask African nations to come in. Unvaccinated African nations are just happy they have been unbanned, oblivious of the real issues and not in the least concerned about their own health or preserving their nations against omicron.

Hashabiah:
I don't know why African nations keep degrading our status when in truth the west needs us more than we need them . They know that placing a travel ban will stop and probably diminish their supply of raw materials need for their economic growth,hence they've decided change position by saying they are "lifting the ban " as if that would make us feel like they're helping our situation. Nonsense