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Gov’t, US extend border closure

Published:Wednesday | May 20, 2020 | 12:25 AM
United States (US) residents (left), and Canadian residents (right), gather across a ditch along the Canada-US border, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on May 10. The stretch of international border southeast of Vancouver has become a popular meeting spot for families, loved ones, and friends separated because of the closure of the Canada-US border to non-essential travel due to the coronavirus concerns.
The Associated Press
United States (US) residents (left), and Canadian residents (right), gather across a ditch along the Canada-US border, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on May 10. The stretch of international border southeast of Vancouver has become a popular meeting spot for families, loved ones, and friends separated because of the closure of the Canada-US border to non-essential travel due to the coronavirus concerns.

TORONTO (AP):

Canada and the US have agreed to extend their agreement to keep border closed to non-essential travel to June 21 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday the border is a source of vulnerability, so the agreement will be extended by another 30 days. The restrictions were announced on March 18 and were extended in April.

Trudeau said Canada’s provincial leaders clearly wanted to continue the measures.

“This will keep people in both of our countries safe.” Trudeau said.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed the extension, but looked forward to its eventual end, saying, “everything we want to get back to normal.”

But many Canadians fear a reopening. The US has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any country in the world, though its per capita numbers are well below many other nations.

Essential cross-border workers like healthcare professionals, airline crews and truck drivers are still permitted to cross. Truck drivers are critical as they move food and medical goods in both directions. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the U.S.

Americans who are returning to America and Canadians who are returning to Canada are also exempted from the border closure.

Canada sends 75 per cent of its exports to the US and about 18 per cent of American exports go to Canada. The US-Canada border is the world’s longest between two nations.