The Canadian Border Services Agency has confirmed that it is extending its coronavirus travel restrictions until July 31.
First, the federal government shut the border to non-Canadian residents to restrict COVID-19 spread by mid-March, with few exceptions. The international travel ban extension was made by a federal order proposed by Health Minister Patty Hajdu, dated June 29.
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Officials confirm that the government will uphold the order that restricts foreign nationals from entering Canada at this time, rather than changing the order to reopen the border to other countries, such as those with low infection rates or those that require visiting Canadian tourists.
The ban permits the entry into Canada of permanent Canadian nationals, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, as well as diplomats and aircrews, while those with COVID-19 symptoms would still not be permitted into Canada.
This order is one of the steps Canada is taking to help prevent coronavirus spread. Another recent Council order extends the quarantine period for Canada until August 31.
This ban exempts the United States, which soon after the halt on all other international travel entered into a separate agreement with Canada. At least until July 21 the U.S. travel restrictions were extended, ensuring that discretionary travel remains prohibited.
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The agreement allows critical workers, such as truckers and health personnel, to cross the border.
Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson Rebecca Purdy said that to protect Canadians and to alleviate the potential burden that non-essential travellers could place on our healthcare system and its frontline workers, the CBSA has implemented travel restrictions across all ports of entry in all modes of transport … All optional or discretionary travel, including tourism and recreation, are covered by these measures.
The decision to expand the ban comes after several proposals have been accepted by the European Union to encourage travellers from other nations, including Canada, to enter EU countries. It was not the United States that dominated the list of protected countries.
Global Affairs Canada provided a reminder to Canadians last week that despite some countries partially reopening their borders, the national advice remains to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country.
Canada is Flattening the Curve
The travel restrictions contributed to Canada’s success in flattening the curve of coronavirus. All of Canada has been able to report about 200 new average COVID-19 cases or less in recent days. This represents a significant improvement compared to the onset of the pandemic when more than 1,000 cases were recorded every day across Canada.
Despite the success of Canada, the country remains cautious about reopening its economy and frontiers. Provinces across the country have lifted many restrictions on lock-downs, although there are measures to distance people from society.
The country remains wary about reopening its economy and borders following Canada’s progress. Provinces across the country have lifted many restrictions on lock-downs, although there are measures to distance themselves from society.
Maintaining border restrictions is not ideal, given the importance of immigration and travel to the economy of Canada. Still, Canada remains the course so that it can eventually be in a strong position to welcome foreign travellers again.
Canada’s Immigration System Continues to Operate
After the onset of the pandemic, Canada’s immigration program has continued to work. Canada also implemented flexible legislation to allow for more time for immigration applicants to request their paperwork.
Since the start of the immigration system of the pandemic, Canada has continued to work. Canada has also introduced innovative legislation to give immigration applicants more time to submit their paperwork.
For example, submitting an Express Entry Profile and then securing a provincial nomination effectively guarantees an ITA for permanent residence for a nominee.
