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US and Canada border limits to run another month

TORONTO — The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month, Canada’s public safety minister said Friday.

The statement by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair came a day after Mexico announced a similar measure for its border with the United States.

The land border restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus pandemic were first announced in March and have been renewed monthly.

Many Canadians fear a reopening. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve while the U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any other country.

Essential cross-border workers like health care professionals, airline crews and truck drivers are still permitted to cross. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the U.S.

Americans who are returning to America and Canadians who are returning to Canada are also exempted from the border closure.

Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S. and about 18% of American exports go to Canada. The U.S. Canada border is world’s longest between two nations.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said:

 ”I remain committed to working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Canadian government to develop a framework for a phased and safe reopening of our shared northern border

“While essential personnel are still exempt from the travel restrictions — property owners, those with family across the border, recreational boaters, and our North Country economy as a whole are suffering due to the continued non-essential border closure. Both governments must work together on a plan of action to safely re-open and consider interim steps to ease the hardship on our border communities. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, the White House, and the Canadian government on a pathway forward to end the uncertainty that stems from these continued 30-day extensions.”

State Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, said in a statement:

“The announcement today that the Canada-United States border restrictions were extended until Sept. 21 was disappointing and discouraging. We have worked so hard in the North Country to stop the spread of COVID-19 and have shown incredible patience as our local businesses struggle due to the lack of Canadian visitors that it is difficult to understand why the border remains closed to non-essential travel.

“I will continue to work with our federal partners to reevaluate the restrictions so that individuals can cross the border in a safe manner that will allow for more people to reconnect with their loved ones and to help our North Country businesses thrive.”

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