Italy extended Sunday an entry ban for people coming from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as a continued precaution against the more transmissible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> variant first detected in India.

The ban, which does not apply to Italian citizens, was introduced in late April and was due to expire on Sunday. It was prolonged until June 21, a spokesman for Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/italy-imposes-travel-ban-from-india-over-covid-19-variant-380106">Italy imposes travel ban from India over COVID-19 variant</a>

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/uk-variant-first-images-of-b117-coronavirus-mutation-382771">B.1.617</a> variant of the coronavirus was first detected in India last year and has been blamed for much of a devastating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> wave that has battered South Asian nations in recent weeks.

This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the variant has officially spread to 53 territories, and has been linked to seven other territories by unofficial sources, taking the total to 60.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-italy-reports-new-deaths-european-commission-urges-member-states-to-extend-temporary-non-essential-travel-ban-297530">As Italy reports new deaths, European Commission urges member states to extend temporary non-essential travel ban</a>

In an interview with AFP, WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said the increased contagiousness of the new variants of the coronavirus, including the Indian one, was one of his main worries.

"We know for example that the B.1617 is more transmissible than the B.117, which already was more transmissible than the previous strain," the Belgian doctor said.

Italy extended Sunday an entry ban for people coming from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as a continued precaution against the more transmissible coronavirus variant first detected in India.

Italy extended Sunday an entry ban for people coming from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as a continued precaution against the more transmissible coronavirus variant first detected in India. The ban, which does not apply to Italian citizens, was introduced in late April and was due to expire on Sunday. It was prolonged until June 21, a spokesman for Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement. Also Read | Italy imposes travel ban from India over COVID-19 variant The B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus was first detected in India last year and has been blamed for much of a devastating COVID-19 wave that has battered South Asian nations in recent weeks. This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the variant has officially spread to 53 territories, and has been linked to seven other territories by unofficial sources, taking the total to 60. Also Read | As Italy reports new deaths, European Commission urges member states to extend temporary non-essential travel ban In an interview with AFP, WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said the increased contagiousness of the new variants of the coronavirus, including the Indian one, was one of his main worries. "We know for example that the B.1617 is more transmissible than the B.117, which already was more transmissible than the previous strain," the Belgian doctor said.

Italy extends entry ban for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday.

Alghabra said Canada had seen "a significant reduction" in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> infections among arriving airline passengers since Ottawa first announced the bans on April 22 as the number of cases in India soared. The move does not affect cargo flights.

"These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern," he told a briefing.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australia-suspends-direct-passenger-flights-from-india-amid-covid-19-outbreak-380686">Australia suspends direct passenger flights from India amid COVID-19 outbreak</a>

As vaccinations pick up across Canada, the number of daily new cases has dropped by 25 per cent since last week and it now averages around 5,000, deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo told the briefing.

Canada has so far recorded a total of 25,111 deaths from COVID-19 and more than 1.3 million cases overall.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-restricts-travel-from-high-risk-india-379851">Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India</a>

The ban on Indian and Pakistani flights is part of a series of restrictions Canada has imposed to lower the transmission of the virus, including curbs on non-essential travel across the long land border with the United States.

Canada said on Thursday that the measure, first applied in March 2020, would be extended by another month to June 21. Government officials said they were in no hurry to open up travel across the border, citing the need to protect public health.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-bars-travellers-from-india-over-coronavirus-variant-386596">Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant</a>

Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces, announced on Friday that it would begin administering second doses of AstraZeneca Inc's COVID-19 vaccine after earlier halting roll out due to concerns about rare blood clots.

The province has tens of thousands of AstraZeneca doses set to expire at the end of May.

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight COVID-19, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday.

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight COVID-19, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday. Alghabra said Canada had seen "a significant reduction" in coronavirus infections among arriving airline passengers since Ottawa first announced the bans on April 22 as the number of cases in India soared. The move does not affect cargo flights. "These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern," he told a briefing. Also Read | Australia suspends direct passenger flights from India amid COVID-19 outbreak As vaccinations pick up across Canada, the number of daily new cases has dropped by 25 per cent since last week and it now averages around 5,000, deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo told the briefing. Canada has so far recorded a total of 25,111 deaths from COVID-19 and more than 1.3 million cases overall. Also Read | Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India The ban on Indian and Pakistani flights is part of a series of restrictions Canada has imposed to lower the transmission of the virus, including curbs on non-essential travel across the long land border with the United States. Canada said on Thursday that the measure, first applied in March 2020, would be extended by another month to June 21. Government officials said they were in no hurry to open up travel across the border, citing the need to protect public health. Also Read | Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces, announced on Friday that it would begin administering second doses of AstraZeneca Inc's COVID-19 vaccine after earlier halting roll out due to concerns about rare blood clots. The province has tens of thousands of AstraZeneca doses set to expire at the end of May.

Canada extends ban on passenger flights from India, Pakistan

Colombia has barred non-resident arrivals from India through the end of June in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variant B.1.617, the health ministry said on Friday.

The restrictions came into force on Thursday, although travellers who were already in the air or on their journey to Colombia are exempt.

The variant's potentially higher rates of transmission motivated Colombia's decision, the ministry in a statement.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-bans-travellers-from-india-imposes-virus-curbs-386101">Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes virus curbs</a>

The B.1.617 variant is believed by some experts to be even more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in Britain.

India's hospitals and crematoria have been overwhelmed by the second wave in coronavirus cases.

It is widely accepted official figures of more than 25 million cases in the Asian country grossly underestimate the real impact of the epidemic, with some experts saying infections and deaths could be up to 10 times higher.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/inflatable-rooms-for-covid-19-patients-in-columbia-364481">Inflatable rooms for Covid 19 patients in Columbia</a>

Colombia's restrictions apply to travellers who have been in India within the last 14 days or who had a connecting flight there, the statement said.

Travellers who are exempt from the ban, including diplomats and those with work visas, must present a negative PCR test upon entry, take an additional test within 24 hours of arrival and a third on the seventh day after entry.

They should also be in strict quarantine for 14 days, the statement said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-bans-south-asia-travellers-as-virus-cases-soar-384606">Maldives bans South Asia travellers as virus cases soar</a>

"Combined with Colombia's confrontation of a third peak in the pandemic, the advisory committee for confronting the COVID-19 pandemic recommended the suspension of entrance to the country of non-resident travelers from the Republic of India," the ministry's director of epidemiology Julian Fernandez said.

Colombia's major cities are weathering the third peak of infections expected to last through the end of May, with large anti-government protests blamed for extending high case numbers.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-bans-travellers-from-india-with-immediate-effect-383172">Sri Lanka bans travellers from India with immediate effect</a>

The Andean country has confirmed nearly 3.2 million infections and over 83,000 deaths over the course of the pandemic. It has so far administered 8 million doses of coronavirus vaccines.

Colombia has barred non-resident arrivals from India through the end of June in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variant B.1.617, the health ministry said on Friday.

Colombia has barred non-resident arrivals from India through the end of June in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variant B.1.617, the health ministry said on Friday. The restrictions came into force on Thursday, although travellers who were already in the air or on their journey to Colombia are exempt. The variant's potentially higher rates of transmission motivated Colombia's decision, the ministry in a statement. Also Read | Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes virus curbs The B.1.617 variant is believed by some experts to be even more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in Britain. India's hospitals and crematoria have been overwhelmed by the second wave in coronavirus cases. It is widely accepted official figures of more than 25 million cases in the Asian country grossly underestimate the real impact of the epidemic, with some experts saying infections and deaths could be up to 10 times higher. Also Read | Inflatable rooms for Covid 19 patients in Columbia Colombia's restrictions apply to travellers who have been in India within the last 14 days or who had a connecting flight there, the statement said. Travellers who are exempt from the ban, including diplomats and those with work visas, must present a negative PCR test upon entry, take an additional test within 24 hours of arrival and a third on the seventh day after entry. They should also be in strict quarantine for 14 days, the statement said. Also Read | Maldives bans South Asia travellers as virus cases soar "Combined with Colombia's confrontation of a third peak in the pandemic, the advisory committee for confronting the COVID-19 pandemic recommended the suspension of entrance to the country of non-resident travelers from the Republic of India," the ministry's director of epidemiology Julian Fernandez said. Colombia's major cities are weathering the third peak of infections expected to last through the end of May, with large anti-government protests blamed for extending high case numbers. Also Read | Sri Lanka bans travellers from India with immediate effect The Andean country has confirmed nearly 3.2 million infections and over 83,000 deaths over the course of the pandemic. It has so far administered 8 million doses of coronavirus vaccines.

Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant

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Italy extends entry ban for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Canada extends ban on passenger flights from India, Pakistan

Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant