Canada Extends U.S. Border Closure Until Dec. 21

Canada has reportedly chosen to extend its closure of the U.S. border to non-essential travel until at least Dec. 21.

The CBC reported this week that Canada would extend the closure at least another month as the current order was set to expire on Nov. 21. The news would mean that the closure would now last into a ninth month after originally announcing the closure in March. 

U.S. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security confirmed the news on Friday, writing on Twitter that “in order to continue to prevent the spread of COVID, the US, Mexico, & Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Dec. 21. We are working closely with Mexico & Canada to keep essential trade & travel open while protecting our citizens from the virus.”

Canada, right now, has a travel advisory for the U.S. that warns its citizens to “avoid non-essential travel” to the U.S. Trudeau said he recognizes that there is a large pent-up demand for travel to warmer climates, but said on Thursday that citizens have to know that there is a risk.

“Ultimately, if someone chooses to travel, we’re not going to keep them imprisoned in Canada,” he said. “Still, people have to recognize they’re putting themselves at risk, putting their loved ones at risk.”

Canada’s warning reads that “the decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.”

The U.S., for its part, has had a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning for travel to Canada up since Aug. 6, which is the standard warning for most international travel right now.