The government of President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the extension, until August 21, of restrictions on non-essential travel that crosses the United States’ land borders with Mexico and Canada.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the measure to “reduce the spread of covid-19, including the Delta variant”, which already accounts for 83% of infections in the United States.
DHS has also indicated that it is in constant contact with Canadian and Mexican authorities “to identify the conditions under which the restrictions can be relaxed in a safe and lasting manner.”
The restrictions, which were scheduled to end today, affect all non-essential travel through land ports of entry and ferry crossings, and will remain in effect until August 21.
On Monday, the Government of Canada announced it will reopen its borders for travel by fully vaccinated Americans and legal residents starting August 9.
Canadian officials have also said they will allow fully vaccinated people to travel from any country starting September 7.
The governments of the United States, Mexico and Canada, by mutual agreement, closed the borders to tourist travel in March 2020 and since then the restrictions have been extended month by month.
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