Canada/US border closure will remain in place for another month

The border closure between Canada and the United States has been extended for another month.

According to MP Bill Blair, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, the extension will be in place until March 21.

This latest extension means that the border between the two countries – the longest undefended international boundary in the world – will have been closed for one year.

“Non-essential travel restrictions with the United States have been extended until March 21st, 2021,” Blair tweeted on Friday.

“We will continue to base our decisions on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe from COVID-19.”

Non-essential travel restrictions with the United States have been extended until March 21st, 2021. We will continue to base our decisions on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe from #COVID19.

— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) February 19, 2021

• See also:
  • Canada’s international travel restrictions extended until at least the end of April
  • Mandatory hotel quarantine for international travellers to take effect on February 22
  • 72-hour negative COVID-19 test required at Canada’s land borders

In March of 2020, all non-essential travel was closed along the border.

However, trucking and trade were not affected, as maintaining commerce between the two countries was deemed essential for Canada’s economic recovery.

At the time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the border would be closed for as long as it needs to be.

To date, Canada has seen 840,586 COVID-19 cases and virus-related deaths.