these flights are also expensive, compared to the usual price of a ticket to canada, and with incomes considerably lower in india than canada, plus tuition for international students being considerably higher than for citizens, it all adds up to a draining experience for students.
the ban was put in place in late april when case counts were exploding in india, infecting more than 30 million people and leaving more than 400,000 dead in a matter of months. now, argue some, case counts are down in india, but the border remains closed, while nationals from other countries are able to enter canada, even if they have high case rates.
transport minister omar alghabra said, when he announced the extension of the travel ban, that “protecting the health and safety of canadians continues to be our top priority.”
the delta variant of covid-19, which first emerged in india, is now the dominant strain in canada — it was, according to federal government information, first imported by travellers and is now spreading within the community. (the variant was first noted in canada before the flight ban came into place.)
the student who spoke to the post said he chose canada as a place to study because he’s been here before, though, now, it’s looking like it will be a real challenge to properly attend classes and labs, even if he is able to stay up late — because of the time difference — and tune into lectures via zoom.