Canada introduces new Covid-19 test rules for travellers arriving by air

Anyone travelling to Canada by air will now need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test if they want to enter the country. The new rules come into force from January 7 (Thursday), for any travellers who are aged five and above. Passengers will need to present their airline with proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of boarding their flight - and Transport Canada has warned that if someone is unable to provide evidence of a PCR test and negative result, they will be denied boarding.

The rules will not exempt travellers rom having to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in Canada. At the time of writing Canada has closed its borders to most foreign nationals, including Brits. However, there are some exemptions such as temporary workers, international students, Canadian citizens and permanent residents or their immediate and extended families. (Provided they are staying in Canada for 15 days or more).

(C) Robin Utrecht/REX/Shutterstock A person wearing PPE administers a PCR test for Covid-19

Video: Mexico's airline 'Aeromexico' allegedly disregards passenger safety (Newsflare)

Mexico's airline 'Aeromexico' allegedly disregards passenger safetyWhat to watch next Click to expand Replay Video

• Schools close in Thailand amid the second wave of COVID-19 Schools and universities across Thailand have closed as the country battles its second wave of Covid-19 cases.

  Footage shows staff and teachers arriving at an education establishment in Khon Kaen province where signs informed pupils and teachers that the building was closed. Many of the region's schools put 'CLOSED' signs in front of the gates of the school this week. The restrictions came as Thailand recorded hundreds of new infections a day of the coronavirus, with a further 365 added on Wednesday (Jan 6).

  Many of the new infections have been traced to an outbreak among Burmese migrants workers at a large seafood market in Samut Sakhon province, near the capital Bangkok. Ministers have ordered sweeping closures of bars, restaurants, gyms, massage shops and other 'high risk' venues across the country. Travelling between different provinces is discouraged, though a full lockdown is yet to be implemented.

  Thailand has recorded 8,966 Covid-19 infections and 65 deaths. Newsflare

• Chinese driver chases down alleged robber for one kilometre after dramatic bus window escape A heroic bus driver chased an alleged robber for one kilometre after he jumped out of a bus window to escape in northern China. In the video, shot in the city of Xianyang in Shaanxi Province on January 2, a man suddenly held the handle to lift himself up, kicking the glass window to open and jumping out of the vehicle to escape. The bus driver was seen running after the man to try to catch him.

  After chasing the man for around one kilometre, the bus driver and passersby subdued him together. According to reports, a student found his phone was stolen on the bus so the driver stopped the vehicle to call the police. However, the alleged robber suddenly broke out a glass window to try to escape.

  The bus driver named Qiang suffered minor injuries to his head when catching the alleged robber, reports said. The video was provided by local media with permission. Newsflare

• Tiny pug's doggy air paddle over muddy puddle goes viral on TikTok This is the hilarious moment Florence the pug performed a doggy air paddle over a muddy puddle in Southampton, UK. The filmer and Florence's owner, Rick Eldridge, told Newsflare: "Our 3-year-old pug is too much of a princess to walk through the bog, so Hannah had to carry her.

  Although she was certain she was doing all the leg work..." Rick posted the adorable video, filmed on December 28, to TikTok (@rickeldridgetraining), where Florence's air walk quickly went viral. Newsflare

Anyone arriving in Canada must quarantine for 14 days, and according to Transport Canada "all travellers will have their quarantine plans reviewed by a government official and, if not suitable, will be asked to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility". You can find out more in the FCDO Canada travel advice. Canadian authorities had previously suspended all inbound commercial and private passenger flights from the UK until January 6.

(C) Getty Images/iStockphoto A panoramic drone view of Vancouver downtown.

However, it's worth noting that Brits hoping for a holiday won't be able to travel abroad anyway.

England is currently in a third national lockdown which includes a ban on international travel, except for a small number of legally permitted reasons (holidays do not fall under this).

Scotland and Wales are also in national lockdowns which include a ban on travel.

If you had any trips abroad booked during the lockdown period you can read more about the first steps to take including your rights to getting your money back.