Extension of cross-border travel restrictions to limit spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Canada and the U.S. have reached another agreement to extend their border closure for another 30 days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced, suggesting it is the ‘right thing’ to do.
The border was first closed some two months ago to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The extension to the border closure that was announced a month ago was set to expire on May 20. However, now the border will remain closed until June 21.
Trudeau also mentioned that provincial premiers wanted the travel restrictions to continue.
Essential travel, trade, and commerce, will continue between the two countries.
The following are examples of what is considered essential travel:
- for work or study;
- critical infrastructure support, including services deemed essential to the health, safety, and security of Canadians;
- economic services and supply chains; and
- purposes of family reunification, except family visits.
Truck and rail traffic will still be allowed to cross the border to keep the flow of food, fuel and medicines available to both countries.
All non-essential travel, such as for tourism or visiting family, will remain barred.
The travel restrictions in place also apply to irregular asylum seekers attempting to cross the border by foot at unofficial border crossings, such as Roxham Road.
Prime Minister Trudeau is suggesting that it will be months before any non-essential travel is allowed.
U.S. President Donald Trump, on the other hand, is looking forward to the end of the border closure.
Canada seems to be doing much better than the United States in containing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), even when taking into consideration the population.
To date, Canada has seen more than 79,000 cases of coronavirus, mostly in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with almost 6,000 deaths.
The United States, which has a population roughly nine times that of Canada, has seen over 1.56 million cases of coronavirus, with more than 92,000 deaths.
The U.S. has taken a more restrictive approach to immigration during the pandemic, recently suspending some forms of immigration.
Canada, on the other hand, is still processing applications for economic and family class immigrants, as well as temporary foreign workers, and international students.