Canada Extends Land Border Closure And Entry Restrictions

The closure of the US/Canada land border was extended again through at least June 21, 2021, but will not be lifted until September 2021 or later. The border has been closed to all non-essential traffic since March 21, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and just this past February, Canada implemented stringent testing and quarantine requirements on all exempted travelers arriving by air.

While politicians on both sides of the border have advocated to allow vaccinated US travelers to enter Canada under relaxed or even unrestricted conditions, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his government have indicated it may be some time before such a plan is implemented. In an interview with CTV News, Trudeau said that more than 75% of Canadians must be vaccinated and transmission rates come “under control” before they begin to loosen restrictions in Canada. He said it may not be until September or later before restrictions are relaxed.

Right now, the only exemptions to the restrictions for non-essential travel are for diplomats, essential service providers and essential travel that ensures continued economic supply chains between Canada and the US. Nonessential travel is prohibited, including travel for vacation and recreational purposes. Otherwise only Canadian citizens and residents or immediate relatives are allowed entry to Canada.

For more details visit the Canadian government website at https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid.