Travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada extended for another month

Restrictions on non-essential travel between the United States and Canada have been extended another month.

According to Public Safety Minster Bill Blair, the current restrictions will remain in effect until at least June 21.

To help reduce the spread of #COVID19, the current restrictions for all non-essential travel between Canada and the U.S. remain in effect until June 21. More info on entry restrictions and exemptions in Canada ➡️ https://t.co/zqpAuJwJRy pic.twitter.com/vJFAaLOfL3

— Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) May 20, 2021

The border between the two countries was first closed to non-essential travel in March 2020, as COVID-19 cases began to spike.

People have found loopholes to get around rules about mandatory quarantine and testing.

New York Congressman Brian Higgins, who has previously spoken out about the need to ease the border restrictions, is once again calling for a reopening strategy.

“It is truly unacceptable at this point to have another 30-day extension with no further exceptions for those vaccinated, no goals or targets outlined to expand crossings, no reciprocal allowances for family reunification, and no plan,” said Higgins, who serves as Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus and the Canada-US Interparliamentary Group.

“We have made great strides in fighting the pandemic and we need to make progress on reopening the border. That is essential to both families that have been separated for way too long and to our bi-national economies.”

Earlier this week, Higgins made a push to allow Canadians to cross into New York State to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

However the U.S. border agency says it does not consider a vaccine an essential medical service for travel purposes.

An agency spokesman says travel for the sole purpose of obtaining a vaccination is not permissible under current travel restrictions and as a result, Canadian travellers have been denied entry.