BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The U.S.-Canada border will likely remain closed until the end of July as both countries continue working to stop the spread of COVID-19, multiple sources tell Reuters.
The current ban on non-essential traffic is set to expire June 21. Commercial crossings for trade and commerce would continue as usual.
While the outbreak has slowed across New York state and continues to slow across the 10 provinces of Canada, Reuters reports the number of new cases in Toronto and Montreal are still concerning health officials.
Travel restrictions between the countries were first put in place on March 20. They do not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the U.S. and Canada.
While non-essential travel between both countries remains in limbo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can now cross the border.
Anyone who enters Canada will have to stay in the country for at least 15 days.
News of another extension will not be welcomed by retailers in the Buffalo region or the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which operates the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. At least 40 percentof travelers using the airport are Canadian, according to the NFTA.
