Canada-U.S. border restrictions extended another month to June 21

OTTAWA -- CTV News has learned that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month, just days before the current agreement was set to expire. Non-essential travel restrictions have been in place between the two countries since March 21, 2020. The provision exempts the flow of trade and commerce, as well as vital health-care workers such as nurses who live and work on opp posite sides of the border.

O On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in indicated that lifting social restrictions more ge generally will be dependent on vaccination rates and consistently low community transam r mission of the COVID-19 virus.“We’re all ea eager to get back to normal, but we know th that before we get back to normal cases need to be under control and over 75 per cent of p people need to be vaccinated for us to start lo loosening things in Canada,” he said. “We’ll see what framework we apply to ensure that we’re keeping Canadians safe.” According to CTV News’ Vaccine Tracker, Canada has vaccinated 46.05 per cent of its population with a first dose and just 3.77 per cent have received two doses doses. Meanwhile, the U.S. has vaccinated 47.19 per cent of its population with a first dose, and 37.03 per cent have received both shots.

James Cudmore, director of communications for the minister of public safety, did not confirm the extension to CTVNews.ca but said that talks are ongoing with their American counterparts on issues relating to the shared border, but tempered expectations about the timing of an official reopening. “Minister Blair is in regular contact with his American counterparts about issues relating to our shared border.