Monday, December 22, 2025
ADVT 
National

Canada and U.S. extend border closure to Nov. 21

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Oct, 2020 05:34 PM
  • Canada and U.S. extend border closure to Nov. 21

Incidental visits like vacations, day trips and cross-border shopping excursions have been forbidden since March in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The restrictions do not apply to those who must cross to ensure the continued flow of goods and essential services, including truckers and health workers who live in one country but work in the other. Canada has also added certain exemptions to reunite extended family members.

But despite alarming signs of the pandemic making a comeback on the cusp of colder weather and flu season, President Donald Trump and his officials have persisted in playing down the dangers, and speak straight-faced about lifting the ban sooner rather than later.

In an interview last week with a Detroit radio station, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed Trump's claim last month that Canada is keen to resume travel — a sentiment that's at odds with both public opinion and the official position north of the border.

"We’ve got to get America back going again. And the Canadians want this, too," Pompeo told WJR Detroit.

"We’re working to create a set of international protocols so that we can do the right thing, make sure people stay safe and healthy, but make sure also that people can do the things they need to do to take care of their families and their businesses."

An online poll released last week by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies suggested two out of three Canadians would not be comfortable travelling to the U.S. even once the restrictions are lifted.

The strongest reservations were expressed in Ontario and B.C., where 77 per cent said they would not travel. Quebec and Atlantic Canada were somewhat less concerned at 63 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively.

Online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not generate a random sample of the population.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the travel ban won't be eased until there's clear evidence the pandemic is slowing in the United States.

                 WATCH: Canda Border clsoure extended til Nov 21st

"We keep extending the border closures because the United States is not in a place where we would feel comfortable reopening those borders," Trudeau told the Global News podcast The Start last week.

"We see the cases in the United States and elsewhere around the world, and we need to continue to keep these border controls in place."

Trump, however, seems to see it differently, raising eyebrows last month when he suggested the border would reopen by the end of the year.

"Canada would like it open, and, you know, we want to get back to normal business," he said.

"We have a great trade deal right now, and so we’re going to be opening the borders pretty soon."

MORE National ARTICLES

Premiers meeting to be held virtually

Premiers meeting to be held virtually
Premier Francois Legault told a news conference today in Quebec City he hopes the event that was planned for Sept. 24-25 can be held at a later date.

Premiers meeting to be held virtually

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is accused of downplaying the danger of the novel coronavirus while privately saying it was much worse than the regular flu.

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules
Passengers will be asked to provide their contact information, such as an email or phone number, at check-in so local public health officials can get in touch if needed

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against
WATCH: Banquet Hall owners lash out at BC NDP MLAs for not being on their side. "Discrimination against South Asian Community," Says Sukh Mann, President of the BC Banquet Hall Association. Record breaking heat wave in BC

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response
The government has announced a $5-billion COVID-19 response and a $1-billion contribution to a federal cost-sharing program.

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response

N.B. leaders begin final push before election

N.B. leaders begin final push before election
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs used potato fields in Florenceville in the northwest of the province as the backdrop as he called on voters to return his party to government.

N.B. leaders begin final push before election