Canada announced that it is extending the closure of its border with the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic until July 21, according to a tweet Friday morning by Bill Blair, Canada’s Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Prepared-ness. The border closure will now extend into its 16th month.
“Our number one priority as we fight #COVID19 is keeping Canadians safe. In coordination with the U.S., we are extending restrictions on non-essential international travel and with the United States until July 21st, 2021,” Blair tweeted.
On the U.S. side, Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the closure, tweeting: “To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through July 21.”
The tweet did go on to say that access for essential trade & travel is ensured.
The tweets end recent hope that the restrictions on non-essential travel between the two countries would be eased. Talks on the border opening between the two countries have been intensifying. The Frontier Duty Free Association is in constant contact with the Canadian government petitioning it to reopen the border as soon as possible.
The border has been closed to recreational travel since March 21, 2020.
