Coronavirus In US, Canada: Countries Likely To Extend Border Closure Due To Pandemic

The U.S. and Canada are likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel between the two countries until June 21. On April 18, both governments extended the border closure until May 21.

“It’s too early to lift the restrictions, so we’re working toward an extension,” a Canadian government source told Reuters. A U.S. official also told the news outlet that there would be a 30-day extension.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed caution Tuesday about lifting border restrictions. President Trump has pushed for the U.S. economy to reopen, but cases are still rising across the country.

“We're going to be very, very careful about reopening any international travel, including in the United States, before we feel that it is time," Trudeau said. "Our priority needs to be keeping Canadians safe. And that is the spirit in which we have engaged in constant and constructive dialogue with the Americans to talk about shared interests, including the border.”

The U.S. and Canada originally closed their border to nonessential travel on March 18. The closure does not affect trade between the two countries, with Canada relying on the U.S. for 75% of its exports.

“We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic,” Trump tweeted at the time.

As of Wednesday at 3:10 p.m., there are 1,380,465 coronavirus cases in the U.S. with a death toll of 83,249. Canada has 73,193 cases and 5,402 deaths.