AIR CANADA DROPS MOST IN FIVE WEEKS ON VIRUS, WARNINGS

Air Canada dropped as much as 6.2 per cent, the most since dec. 21, as the Canadian government considers tougher measures to limit travel into the country because of new variants of COVID-19. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet have talked openly about tightening rules to discourage international trips. The country requires anyone boarding a flight to Canada to have a negative virus test, and most are also required to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive. Those measures have not stopped some Canadians from making winter trips to warmer destinations. deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland reinforced the warnings against international flights at a news conference Monday. Shares of Montreal-based Air Canada fell 5.57 per cent to close at $20.86 in Toronto.