The border between the U.S and Canada will remain closed to non-essential traffic for at least another month.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Thursday that the two countries have agreed to extend travel restrictions until August 21. Border restrictions were previously set to expire on July 21.
"Non-essential travel between Canada and the US remains restricted. And as we continue to fight COVID-19, we have agreed to extend the current border measures by another 30 days -- until August 21st -- to keep people in both our countries safe," Trudeau said on Twitter.
Only essential travel has been allowed over the border since March 21 to limit the spread of COVID-19 between the two countries. The border restrictions have been extended several times after being reviewed monthly by both countries.
A recent poll, conducted by survey group Leger, suggested that 86 per cent of Canadians felt the border should remain closed.
As well, some politicians in Ontario, such as Premier Doug Ford and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, have been urging the federal government to keep the border closed.
According to John Hopkins University, the U.S. has confirmed 3,559,899 cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday, with 1,090,645 recovered. In comparison, Canada has recorded 111,143 cases with 74,443 of those now recovered. The virus has claimed 138,185 lives in the U.S. and 8,875 in Canada.
