In a move that’s a surprise to virtually no one, it’s been announced that the border closure between the United States and Canada will remain closed through at least July 21.
“It is clear that there is broad consensus…that we need to continue to keep our current border measures in place,” said Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.
The border between the two countries initially closed on March 21 in an attempt to contain the number of COVID-19 cases. The closure was extended for another month in both April and May.
There is one loophole, though.
According to a report by the CBC, the travel restrictions apply only to Canadians trying to enter the U.S. at land border crossings (car, train, ferry and pleasure boats). Canadian air passengers can still enter the country as long as they haven’t visited Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K. or the 26 Schengen Zone countries in the 14 days before traveling to the U.S. Canadians wouldn’t have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival into the U.S., unless they enter a state that requires it. But when they returned to Canada, they would have to quarantine for 14 days.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, don’t pack up to fly to Toronto just yet – the ability to fly isn’t reciprocal. U.S. citizens are currently prohibited from entering Canada by any mode of transportation, including planes. The only exception is if you have immediate family members (parents, child(ren), or spouse) who live in Canada. In that case, you are allowed to visit them, although, again, you must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada. Once you get back to the U.S., you must follow the mandate of whichever state you return to.
This is a sad but smart decision that comes as the United States recently went past its two millionth documented case of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, and has reported that cases in several states are spiking to all-time highs in the weeks after various states eased restrictions. Canada only (only?) has had just over 100,000 citizens with the virus, but its two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, show no sign of decreasing their respective numbers of cases.
Once our two countries and its citizens take COVID-19 seriously and do the right thing to lower our respective numbers, I’m sure our governments will be happy to reopen their borders.
*** Feature Photo: Spend A Day Touring LLC/flickr
#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
