As of Sunday, March 21 the Blue Water Bridge will have been closed to non-essential traffic for a full year.
Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair announced on Twitter Thursday morning that Canada-U.S. border restrictions have been extended another month to April 21.
Non-essential travel restrictions with the United States have been extended until April 21st, 2021. We will continue to base our decisions on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe from#COVID19.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) March 18, 2021
Federal Bridge Corporation (FBCL) Director of Communications Todd Kealey said the last year has certainly been challenging.
"Especially in the early phases because we had to introduce a lot of things to keep everybody safe," said Kealey. "We did a lot of work with our shift scheduling so that people could reduce their contact, minimize the exchange of things like cash back and forth between attendants and customers, set up plexiglass barriers and things of that nature. It's been quite challenging and impactful, lets call it memorable I think is maybe the best way to call it."
The restrictions at the Blue Water Bridge and other crossings have been extended every month since they were first announced in an effort to reduce travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
The crossing between Point Edward and Port Huron has remained open to essential traffic including healthcare workers employed in Michigan, and truck drivers delivering goods between the two countries.
-with files from Stephanie Chaves
