Trudeau suggests Canada-U.S. border restrictions will be in place for a long time
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Posted December 1, 2020 2:52 pm.
Last Updated December 1, 2020 3:34 pm.
Canada’s prime minister says the government will not lift a ban on non-essential travel with the United States until the COVID-19 outbreak is under control not only here at home, but around the world.
“Until the virus is significantly more under control everywhere around the world, we’re not going to be releasing the restrictions at the border,” said Trudeau at his daily briefing on Tuesday.
Canada and the U.S. agreed to the ban in March and have continued to roll it out on a monthly basis ever since.
Visits such as vacations, day trips and cross-border shopping excursions have been forbidden in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
The travel ban does not apply to those who must cross to ensure the continued flow of goods and essential services, including truckers and hospital staff.
This comes as almost 100,000 people remain hospitalized in the U.S. as states and cities search for answers and look to implement strict new health measures the curve the spread of the virus.
Recently, top public health expert in the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci, admitted the country was “not in a good place” following a spike in numbers that coincided with American Thanksgiving and excessive travel.
Trudeau, meanwhile, said the federal government has added certain exemptions to reunite extended family members.
“We are incredibly lucky that trade in essential goods, in agricultural products, in pharmaceuticals is flowing back and forth as it always has.”