Canadian junior athletes stuck in South Africa book new flight home
Canada's junior women's field hockey team has a tentative flight home booked after they became stranded in South Africa before a tournament.
The under-21 team arrived in the country in late November to take part in the field hockey Junior World Cup. However, the tournament was cancelled soon after the team arrived and flights to Canada from some southern African countries were halted due to the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant across the globe.
On Wednesday, Field Hockey Canada said the team would no longer be stuck in limbo and a flight had been arranged out of Johannesburg for Dec. 8.
"We understand that the situation with Omicron is fluid and things can change quickly," said Kevin Underhill, communications manager for Field Hockey Canada.
However, Underhill says the organization is "optimistic" that players and staff will be travelling back to Canada next week.
One player's mom, Sandra Sajko, told CTV News that she was relieved the team had a flight booked.
Sajko says that Field Hockey Canada has been very responsive to the situation and that the organization is looking for earlier flights if available. She believes that the current scheduled flight will transfer through Germany since direct flights to Canada are still barred.
Exact rules for testing and quarantining before and after the trip have not been determined yet, according to Field Hockey Canada.
"Rules are rapidly changing and we're working daily with the Canadian government and our travel partners at Boulevard Travel to make sure that we are following all the rules and regulations," said Underhill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.