The Canadian border (land and air) will remain closed to non-essential travel for yet another month, extending the current measures through at least November 21, 2020.
Most foreign visitors are still not allowed to enter Canada and a 14-day quarantine requirement is imposed for those that do, including Canadian citizens.
The restrictions on travel between Canada and the United States is now stretching into it’s third quarter just like we’ve seen with most other international crossings but this one hits especially hard given the close ties between the countries and that for a very long time you were even able to cross between Canada and the U.S. using a drivers license (abandoned after 9/11).
Canadians can travel to the U.S. for both business and leisure but Canada is closed to U.S. citizens except for certain circumstances like driving by car up to Alaska.
There have already been several decisions that severely impacted travel between Canada, Alaska and “the lower 48” especially when it came to cruise travel with British Columbia shutting down all their ports since spring, essentially killing the Alaska cruise season with huge economic consequences for both B.C. and the Alaska coastal towns.
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has previously tweeted about the plan and it has also been updated on the CBSA website.
We are extending non-essential travel restrictions with the United States until November 21st, 2020. Our decisions will continue to be based on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe. More info:https://t.co/EZ3pi3asJr
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) October 19, 2020
You can access the CBSA website here for all recent updated on entry requirements and regulations for Canada.
The current agreement on the U.S.-Canada border closure to non-essential travel was first put in place back in March and has been renewed every month since (salami slicing).
Tourists and leisure cross-border visits remain prohibited, although trade and commerce are exempted as are certain family members and loved ones who can make a case on compassionate grounds to be allowed into Canada.
One has to wonder how often this extension will be renewed in the future and if there will be an opening of the country to overseas visitors from countries again that are deemed somewhat “safe” by Canadian authorities.
As referenced above Canada now does have some rather generous exceptions in place that allows a flow of family members and employees to go into Canada. Canadians can also visit the U.S. but would have to isolate for 14 days upon return so the question is if that trip is worth the hassle. Alberta is planning to soon roll out a “test upon arrival option” with just 48hr quarantine, lets see when and if that kicks in.
Conclusion
The common sentiment among Canadians is that the border should remain closed due to the escalating situation concerning Covid-19 in the lower 48. Can’t say I’d blame them yet this salami tactic extension on a monthly basis isn’t really a solution either. Make it 3 months and be done with it.
Canadians were still welcomed to the European Union and Schengen zone until last week but that exemption has now been revoked based on several parameters (mostly C-19 case number related). I have previously speculated that this exemptions should maybe get revoked either way as there was no reciprocity from Canada allowing E.U. citizens into the country.
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