The United States continues to extend its border restrictions on nonessential travel with Mexico and Canada. It was set to end on Thursday.
U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada will remain closed through Aug. 21, according to documents to be published in the Federal Register.
The extensions come on the heels of Canada’s ease of travel restrictions with the United States. Canada announced its plans to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents on August 9, with plans to allow fully vaccinated travelers from any country on September 7.
U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes said, “Every day that our borders remain closed further delays our industry’s recovery, causing greater damage to the millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on travel. The continued closure of the Canadian border alone costs the U.S. economy $1.5 billion in potential travel exports each month.
“Given the strong vaccination rates on both sides of the border, it is possible to safely reopen to our No. 1 source market for international visitors. Land travel accounted for more than half of all overnight visits to the U.S. by Canadians pre-pandemic, generating significant travel exports that support vital American jobs.
“Canada made the right call in releasing a timeline for vaccinated Americans to cross the land border and visit, and it is past time that the U.S. reciprocates: There is no difference between a fully vaccinated Canadian and a fully vaccinated American.
We urge the Biden administration to determine a date and a plan as quickly as possible to welcome Canadian visitors at U.S. land borders.”
