Canadian Minister of Public Safety announced via Twitter that the border between Canada and the US will remain closed to all nonessential travel until November 21, 2020. “Our decisions will continue to be based on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe,” he said.
The closure was first implemented in March 2020 but has been mutually extended seven times and will likely continue to be extended until infection rates in both countries drop to an acceptable rate (1.5 per 100,000 per the CDC). With all nonessential travel (tourism, recreation or entertainment) prohibited, the closure has wiped out an entire hunting season’s travel between the US and Canada.
Some travelers may be tempted to cross the border under false pretenses, claiming essential travel or to visit immediate family members. Anyone found providing false information to enter Canada will be denied entry and possibly banned from returning. Failure to comply with the current border restrictions is an offence under the Quarantine Act punishable by up to $750,000 in fines, and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months.
