Maple News reports that Canada will extend its closure of the U.S. land border to non-essential travel until at least January 21, marking the ninth consecutive extension of the restrictions that first came into effect on March 21, 2020.
The extension aligns the U.S. border restrictions with Canada’s broader international travel controls currently applied to all other foreign nations. These coordinated measures are part of Canada’s ongoing effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining essential cross-border functions.
Although Canadian citizens can still fly to the United States, American travelers heading to Canada must meet exemption criteria and have an essential reason for travel. Exempt categories include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, approved permanent residency applicants, immediate family members, and certain work permit holders.
All eligible travelers must adhere to strict entry protocols, including mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app to provide travel and health information before arriving. In most cases, travelers must also undergo a 14-day quarantine upon entry unless arriving via specific ports in Alberta that offer a testing-based alternative to reduce isolation time.
Additional restrictions apply to U.S. travelers passing through Canada en route to Alaska. These individuals are only permitted entry through five designated ports: Abbotsford-Huntington, Coutts, Kingsgate, North Portal, and Osoyoos. Furthermore, anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 is prohibited from entering the country.
Data from the Canada Border Services Agency shows the cross-border movement continues to be heavily impacted. In the week of December 7–13, land travel between the two countries declined by 78%, while air travel dropped by 90% compared to the previous year.
Essential commercial activities, such as trucking, remain largely unaffected. Truck drivers are exempt from quarantine requirements in order to support the uninterrupted flow of goods and preserve crucial supply chains between the two nations. In fact, commercial travel activity was down by just 0.43% year-over-year.
This prolonged closure underscores the Canadian government’s careful approach to reopening international borders while prioritizing public health and safety.