The U.S. government issued orders on Thursday stating that U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed for traveling which is unnecessary until at least April 21.
This 30-day extension is the second announced under President Joe Biden. This comes as U.S. lawmakers in northern border states have requested lifting the nearly one-year-old restrictions due to COVID-19.
Advertisement
Non-essential travel restrictions with the United States have been extended until April 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) March 18, 2021
On Thursday in a notice, the Department of Homeland Security said the three countries have all “determined that non-essential travel … poses an additional risk of transmission and spread of the virus.” Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair confirmed the extension of restrictions on Twitter.
Canada has shown little interest in lifting the restrictions and last month imposed new COVID-19 testing requirements for some Canadians returning at land crossings.
On Jan. 26, the U.S. government began requiring nearly all international air travelers to get negative COVID-19 test results within three days of travel but has no similar requirements for land border crossings.
In an executive order in January, Biden directed U.S. officials to “immediately commence diplomatic outreach to the governments of Canada and Mexico regarding public health protocols for land ports of entry.”