The Canada-United States border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least November 21.
Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair made the announcement on Twitter Monday morning.
We are extending non-essential travel restrictions with the United States until November 21st, 2020. Our decisions will continue to be based on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe. More info:https://t.co/EZ3pi3asJr
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 19, 2020
Blair said the decision to keep the border closed for the ninth consecutive month is based on “the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe.”
The restrictions were set to expire on October 21.
Only essential travel, which includes healthcare workers who live in Canada and work in the US, and trade has been allowed since March 21 to limit the spread of COVID-19 between the two countries.
The closure has been extended each month since then.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and other border city mayors previously told Minister Blair that an exit strategy is needed if the border is reopened next year, that would re-establish travel between the countries in an incremental, staged manner to prevent a massive rush of people into Canada.
