U.S. extends travel limits to Canada, Mexico

by Alexandra Kelley | Aug. 20, 2021 | Aug. 20, 2021

coronavirus CDC U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 community spread travel border canada mexico north america delta variant closed dhs department of homeland security extend ban

A vehicle enters the Ambassador BrIdge Port of Entry to cross into Canada, which has opened its borders to U.S. citizens who can provide proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test on August 9, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The border had been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

Story at a glance

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended the nonessential travel restrictions on the borders of Canada and Mexico until Sept. 21.
The original ban was set to expire on Aug. 21.
Travelers entering into the U.S. are required to test negative for COVID-19.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of the travel restriction placed at the U.S. borders of Mexico and Canada.

The agency cited the spread of the delta variant as the leading reason to halt nonessential travel between the North American countries. The ban is set to expire on Sept. 21.

To minimize the spread of #COVID19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through September 21, while continuing to ensure the flow of essential trade and travel.

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 20, 2021

“In coordination with public health and medical experts, DHS continues working closely with its partners across the United States and internationally to determine how to safely and sustainably resume normal travel,” the department added.

This is the second extension the DHS has made surrounding travel between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada in the past month. The original expiration date for nonessential travel restrictions was set to be on Aug. 21.

Canada has opted for a different approach, allowing borders to reopen to vaccinated American travelers as of Aug. 9.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires all passengers coming into the U.S. to have a negative COVID-19 test within three days of departure.

With some exceptions, travelers from China, Iran, the European Schengen countries and regions, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, India and South Africa are all prohibited from entering the U.S. due to pandemic conditions.

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