Ban on Canada, Mexico Border Crossings Extended Through Sept. 21

WASHINGTON — Essential trade and travel between Canada and the U.S. and Mexico and the U.S. will continue as normal, however restrictions on non-essential crossings will remain in place through Sept. 21.

The announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was made on Friday, one day before the previous pandemic-era restrictions were set to expire. Later the same day, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Family Reunification Task Force Director Michelle Brané met virtually with families reunified under the Biden administration’s Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families.

“To minimize the spread of [COVID-19], including the delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through September 21, while continuing to ensure the flow of essential trade and travel,” DHS officials announced on Twitter.

Earlier this month, TWN reported the Canada Border Services Agency would lift its prohibition on Americans crossing the border into the country. U.S. citizens and residents can cross into Canada provided they show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or test negative for COVID-19 within three days of their travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “Level 2 Travel Health Notice” for Canada, meaning that visitors should be wary of a “moderate” level of COVID-19 in the country. Prior to arriving at the Canadian border, all travelers also must fill out an application on the arriveCAN app.

The travel restrictions do not apply to Americans attempting to return home to the U.S.

DHS continued, “In coordination with public health and medical experts, DHS continues working closely with its partners across the United States and internationally to determine how to safely and sustainably resume normal travel.”

In July, the CDC issued a “Level 3 Travel Health Notice ” for travel into Mexico due to a high level of COVID-19 in the country and an increased chance of transmitting the virus.

Forms of essential travel permitted under the restrictions include traveling to attend educational institutions, traveling for lawful cross-border trade, traveling for work, traveling to seek medical treatment, and traveling for diplomatic or governmental reasons, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico. Cross-border travel into the U.S. for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling or attending cultural events is considered non-essential and currently prohibited.