Trudeau Extends Canada-U.S. Border Closure Yet Again, Until July 21

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is continuing to insist that 75% of Canadians will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the government will be willing to consider lifting border restrictions. As the target has not yet been reached, the Canada-US border will remain closed until July 21, 2021.

Trudeau said Friday that though he is sympathetic to the need to reopen the border, discretionary travel might put the country at risk of another wave of COVID cases.

“We’re not out of this pandemic yet, we’re still seeing cases across the country and we want to get them down. At the same time, we also know we have to hit our targets of 75 per cent vaccinated with the first dose, at least 20 per cent vaccinated with the second dose before we can start loosening things up because even a fully vaccinated individual can pass on COVID-19 to someone who is not vaccinated,” he said.

Bill Blair, the federal minister of public safety, took to Twitter to announce the extension of the border closure. He tweeted that “Our number one priority as we fight #COVID19 is keeping Canadians safe. In coordination with the U.S., we are extending restrictions on non-essential international travel and with the United States until July 21st, 2021.”

It was at a press conference in May, that Trudeau suggested that the border restrictions would not be lifted until at least 75% of Canadians are vaccinated against Covid-19.

“We continue to work very closely with American authorities and Canadian experts on how we can move forward in a way that is safe for Canadians. We know we’re not yet out of this third wave and we know there are still real concerns around transmission of the virus. But we will continue to work with our partners and hopefully get to a better place, when the time is appropriate. We’re all eager to get back to normal but we know that before we get back to normal, cases need to be under control, and over 75% of people need to be vaccinated for us to start loosening things in Canada. We’ll see what framework we apply to ensure we’re keeping Canadians safe, even as we look to eventually changing the restrictions and the posture at the border,” said Trudeau.

Canada has also not yet ended its strict quarantine rules for international travelers entering Canada on flights. Measures include getting a negative Covid test and a minimum three day stay in a quarantine hotel. In February new strict mandatory COVID-19 testing for all travelers entering Canada by air was introduced. The Canadian government also introduced a mandatory stay in a quarantine hotel until a traveler receives a negative test result.

As of February 21, travellers, unless exempted, have been required to:

• “reserve a government-authorized hotel for 3 nights prior to departure to Canada
• take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival in Canada
• stay in the government-authorized hotel while awaiting the results of the COVID-19 molecular test taken on arrival
• pay for the cost of the hotel stay, as well as all associated costs for:
• food
• security
• transportation
• infection prevention and control measures

Travellers must present proof of having reserved and pre-paid for their accommodation through ArriveCAN”. Read more on the government website.

Travellers will still be required to complete the remainder of the mandatory 14-day quarantine after their mandatory hotel stopover. According to the government of Canada’s website, “When you arrive in Canada by air, land or sea…you must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada, including:

•  a place to stay
• how you’ll
• get to your destination
•  get your groceries
• access essential services and medical care

This plan is mandatory. Border service agents will determine who can enter the country.

Canada also shows no signs of ending its strict quarantine rules for international travelers entering Canada on flights. Measures include getting a negative Covid test and a minimum three day stay in a quarantine hotel. In February new strict mandatory COVID-19 testing for all travelers entering Canada by air was introduced. The Canadian government also introduced a mandatory stay in a quarantine hotel until a traveler receives a negative test result.

As of February 21, travellers, unless exempted, have been required to:

• “reserve a government-authorized hotel for 3 nights prior to departure to Canada
• take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival in Canada
• stay in the government-authorized hotel while awaiting the results of the COVID-19 molecular test taken on arrival
• pay for the cost of the hotel stay, as well as all associated costs for:
• food
• security
• transportation
• infection prevention and control measures

Travellers must present proof of having reserved and pre-paid for their accommodation through ArriveCAN”. Read more on the government website.

The penalties for not following the quarantine requirements, include:

• a fine of up to $750,000
• 6 months of jail time
• being found inadmissible, removed from Canada and banned from entering for 1 year.