Canada, United States Continue Travel Restrictions Between Two Countries

As CNN reported, the U.S. and Canadian government officials have decided to continue to restrict nonessential travel between their two countries.

On June 18, Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair announced Canada’s restrictions on nonessential international and U.S. travel will remain in place until July 21, 2021.

On social media, meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it has extended COVID-19 restrictions on nonessential travel at land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico until the same date (July 21, 2021).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that the extension of the travel restrictions might be “frustrating” to some. He argued, however, that “we’re not out of this pandemic yet. We have to hit our targets of 75 percent vaccinated with the first dose, at least 20 percent vaccinated with the second dose before we can start loosening things up because even a fully vaccinated individual can pass on COVID-19 to someone who is not vaccinated.”

Three days later, the Canadian government did announce the details of the first phase of its approach to easing border measures for travelers entering Canada. Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travelers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or to take a COVID-19 test. In addition, fully vaccinated travelers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel. Read more here.