Us canada border to close amid virus crisis
There have been no official announcements or plans to close the US-Canada border amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, both countries have taken steps to maintain the flow of essential goods and services across the border while implementing measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Here are some key developments:
- Travel restrictions: In March 2020, the US and Canada imposed travel restrictions on non-essential travel across the border. This means that only essential workers, such as healthcare professionals, truck drivers, and others who provide critical services, are allowed to cross the border.
- Essential goods and services: Both countries have designated essential goods and services that are allowed to cross the border, including food, medicine, and other critical supplies.
- Commercial traffic: Commercial traffic, including trucking and trade, has continued to flow across the border, with measures in place to ensure the safe transportation of goods.
- Border crossing protocols: The US and Canada have implemented protocols to reduce the risk of transmission at border crossings, including increased screening, social distancing measures, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.
- Coordination and cooperation: The US and Canada have maintained close coordination and cooperation to address the pandemic, including sharing information, coordinating public health responses, and collaborating on border management.
While there have been some temporary closures of specific border crossings or restrictions on non-essential travel, there are no plans to close the entire US-Canada border. The two countries have a long-standing relationship and a significant economic and trade relationship, and maintaining the flow of goods and services across the border is essential to both economies.
It's worth noting that the US-Canada border is not a single, unified border, but rather a series of separate borders between the 48 contiguous US states and the 10 provinces of Canada, as well as between Alaska and British Columbia, and between the US states of Maine and New Hampshire and the Canadian province of Quebec.