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Canada-US border restrictions extended to at least September

Published:Friday | August 14, 2020 | 12:38 PM
A truck from Canada heads to the single open lane heading into the United States on May 17, 2020, at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Washington. (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo)

TORONTO (AP) — The Canada-United States border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month, Canada’s public safety minister said Friday.

The statement by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair came a day after Mexico announced a similar measure for its border with the United States.

The land border restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus pandemic were first announced in March and have been renewed monthly.

Many Canadians fear a reopening.

Canada has flattened the epidemic curve while the US has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any other country.

Essential cross-border workers like health care professionals, airline crews and truck drivers are still permitted to cross. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the US.

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

Canada sends 75% of its exports to the US and about 18% of American exports go to Canada.

The US Canada border is world’s longest between two nations.

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