Doug Ford wants the federal government to ban flights and passengers from “countries of concern” until it’s determined that vaccines protect against the variant.
“I have contacted the federal government to express my extreme concern about the risks it poses and the need for immediate action today,” he said in a Friday statement.
“Our best defense right now is stopping this variant at the border.”
The premier’s demands come after several countries, including the European Union, moved to stop flights from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique over concern about the variant known as B.1.1.529 also dubbed “Omicron”.
The World Health Organization reluctant to agree until more information is known about the variant.