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The United States is extending its border restrictions to Canada and Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Twitter that nonessential travel would be restricted until August 21, 2021.
Only individuals that are making “essential travel” will be allowed to cross the border.
“DHS is in constant contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably,” Angelo Fernández, a spokesperson for DHS, said.
“Any decisions about resuming travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday.
On Monday, Canada announced that its borders would be open to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents starting August 9, 2021. Fully vaccinated travelers from other countries will be able to enter Canada on September 7, 2021.
“As we made decisions around reopening to the world in early September, and to American travelers, a few weeks before that, we kept the American government fully apprised,” Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, said.
COVID-19 infections are rising all around the world. The Delta variant of the virus is responsible for 83% of cases in the United States. The Biden Administration is working on getting more Americans vaccinated.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that he was worried about what the future could hold for unvaccinated individuals.
“I am worried about what is to come because we are seeing increasing cases among the unvaccinated in particular. And while, if you are vaccinated, you are very well protected against hospitalization and death, unfortunately, that is not true if you are not vaccinated,” the Surgeon General said.
The restrictions don’t apply to cross-border trade, US citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as people traveling for medical purposes or to attend school, among others.
