Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Homeland Security announced via tweet Friday that the United States, Canada and Mexico agreed to keep their land borders shut down through at least March 21, 2021.
“To protect our citizens and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are extending the restrictions on non-essential travel at our land borders through March 21,” the DHS tweet read. “We are also working to ensure essential trade and travel remain open.”
The agency added that it is working to make certain “essential trade and travel remain open.”
According to report, the 30-day extension was the first under President Joe Biden, who is working with his administration on potentially tightening requirements for crossing at U.S. land borders in North America.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair also confirmed the extension of restrictions.
In January, officials in the U.S. started requiring that all international air travelers landing in America would need to provide a negative COVID-19 test results within three days of arrival.
President Biden is also working with government officials in Canada and Mexico “regarding public health protocols for land ports of entry.” The Biden administration is also conducted a similar review of sea travel and ports.
Last week, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines revealed they would collect contact tracing data and share it with the CDC as an additional layer of protection for the traveling public.
