Canada borders are restricted, not closed, int’l flights accepted

But as mentioned, while the border bans non-essential travel, it is still not completely closed, meaning flights from New York are still accepted in Toronto but with restrictions. (Pexels Photo)

Amid the pandemic, Canada’s efforts as a response to the crisis include extending its border closure with the United States. However, international flights are still accepted, but restricted.

“Canada has not closed its border,” spokesperson of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Andre Gagnon said this week as reported by the Toronto Sun.

“Canada has introduced border restrictions on foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, for all discretionary or optional travel to Canada. The border remains open to all non-discretionary travel,” Gagnon continued.

The Canada-U.S. border since March 21 has been closed for non-essential travel at initially 30 days, and was then extended and extended until August 21. This is an effort to curb the virus as the U.S. remains to be the number one-hit nation by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19); having a total of 4,433,410 cases, 150,448 deaths, and 2,136,603 recoveries. Meanwhile, Canada has 114,597 COVID-19 cases, 8,901 death count, and 99,860 recoveries. All these figures are recorded as of July 28.

But as mentioned, while the border bans non-essential travel, it is still not completely closed, meaning flights from New York are still accepted in Toronto but with restrictions.

As quoted as saying by the Toronto Sun, Mary-Liz Power, spokesperson for Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, “These decisions have not been made lightly, but we know that they are necessary to keep Canadians safe.”

“We all have a shared responsibility to flatten the curve. The restrictions in place at our borders have been very effective in eliminating non-essential travel, such as tourism and recreation, and we’ve seen a near complete reduction in travel from the United States into Canada,” she further said.

Despite the risk, the federal government is not expected to further close borders to keep the flow of different industries like the economy, trade, travel, and tourism.

For more information about the country’s restrictions on travel, you can visit the government website’s information here.