US Extends Canada, Mexico Border Closures As Coronavirus Cases Rise

The the U.S. Canada and Mexico have announced on Twitter they will keep their borders closed to nonessential travel for another month. The extension runs through Aug. 20 for the U.S. and Mexico and through Aug. 21 for Canada.

Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, made the announcement in a tweet Thursday, writing: “Based on the success of the existing restrictions and close collaboration with Mexico and Canada, @DHSgov will continue to limit nonessential travel at our land ports of entry with Canada and Mexico until Aug. 20.”

Wolf said the U.S., Canada and Mexico are working in close collaboration to stem spread of the virus, which has played havoc around the world.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau followed with:

The Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry said the extension was made following a review.

This U.S. first announced that it was closing its borders with Canada and Mexico in mid-March. The order was extended in April, May and June and has not affected essential travel or the movement of goods.

The U.S. has reported more than 3.5 million cases of coronavirus and more than 138,000 COVID-19 deaths while Canada has reported more than 111,000 cases and 8,800 deaths, according to John Hopkins University. Mexico has 324,000 confirmed cases and 37,500 deaths, the university said.