The border has technically been closed between the U.S. and Canada since 21 March 2020, although there are some exceptions and a few people are allowed in and out.
However, this closure only relates to land borders and there is still a travel loophole in that it doesn’t relate to flights. CTV news reported that Canadian officials are working with the Biden administration to close this travel possibility down. During a news conference, Bill Blair, Canada’s public safety minister said, “a loophole, frankly, does exist because the Americans previously had not placed any restriction on international flights coming into the U.S.”
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have made the journey since March 2020, specifically family members making the trip to visit relatives on either side.
Whilst anyone arriving in Canada must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken in the previous 72 hours and go into a 14-day quarantine, the Canadian government is looking to find more ways to discourage travel and a new agreement with the U.S. government would help.
Blair added, quoted in CTV that “we are looking at a number of measures that can include further restrictions on international travel, additional tracing measures, additional quarantine measures and enforcement measures in order to de-incentivize and discourage people from making unnecessary trips.”
The land closure has again been extended until 21 February (currently) and both countries are reiterating that people should stay at home and not undertake any kind of domestic or international travel.
President Trudeau said Saturday, “the bottom line is this: This is not the time to travel either internationally or across the country,” and whilst he admitted that he couldn’t constitutionally stop anyone from traveling, he could introduce rules on returning passengers that would make it very difficult to return.
By September 2020, 18,431 people had been turned away at the border (mostly American residents) but it is believed, as reported by CBS, that almost 4 million people made it into the country during that time. People are still legitimately allowed to cross the border if they live in Alaska or must undertake essential work there, however, the documentation is strict and thorough, and requires Covid-19 testing and quarantine procedures.
Canada and the U.S. have the world’s longest shared border (8,891 km). Pre-pandemic, almost 30,000 trucks, 140,000 cars and roughly 300,000 people made the crossing every day.
"close" - Google News
January 24, 2021 at 10:23PM
https://ift.tt/39cPdNO
U.S./Canada Travel Loophole–Trudeau Working With Biden To Close It - Forbes
"close" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QTYm3D
https://ift.tt/3d2SYUY
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "U.S./Canada Travel Loophole–Trudeau Working With Biden To Close It - Forbes"
Post a Comment