Canada-U.S. Border Closed Until June 20, 2021: U.S. Govt. Site Says
May 18, 2021 Jim Byers
A U.S. government website says the Canada-U.S. Border closure will continue until June 20, 2021.
Canadian officials don’t appear to have confirmed the decision, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website states that border measures were implemented in March of last year and that “these measures were once again extended until June 20, 2021.”
Canada’s orders in council website still lists May 21 as the final date for the border closure.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that he doesn’t see the border opening until 75% of Canadians have one vaccine and 20% have two. Right now roughly 45% of Canadians have their first dose, but only a handful (about four per cent) have two doses. That number is expected to climb sharply, however, as new vaccines roll into the country.
“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,” Trudeau said. “We’ll see what framework we apply to ensure that we’re keeping Canadians safe, even as we look to eventually change the restrictions and the posture at the border.”
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said it may not take long to get to the key numbers.
“I think we are looking at that 50% mark, and then it’s eminently possible that in the next week, we’re going to get to that 75%,” with 20% of the Canadian population fully immunized, she said.
The Biden and Trudeau governments have been talking about border opening measures in the past few days, but sources told the CBC not to expect a quick decision.
With COVID-19 numbers still stubbornly high in parts of Canada, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Canadian government announced an extension of the border closure.
The current closure, which allows for only essential traffic to enter Canada by land, is due to expire on Friday, May 21.
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