Canada will keep its border closed to American visitors 'for months to come' until the coronavirus outbreak is 'much less serious' in both countries
Canada says it will continue to restrict all non-essential travel to and from the US until the coronavirus outbreak is much less serious in both nations.
The comments by Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair suggest that the ban on travel could stay for months to come as cases continue to spike in both countries
The measures, which do not effect trade, first went into effect in March and were set to expire on October 21 - but are likely to continue far beyond.
Blair told reporters that Canada would keep the restrictions in place 'until the conditions on both sides of the border...change very substantively, until we can be assured based on the advice we receive from our public health officials' that the measures could be lifted safely.
It comes as President Donald Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump both tested positive for COVID-19
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says Canada will continue to restrict all non-essential travel to and from the US. Pictured: A US flag and a Canadian flag flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, in Ontario, September 28
Blair says the ban, which was set to expire October 21, will likely last for several months until the coronavirus outbreak is 'much less serious' in both countries. Pictured: The US-Canada border crossing is seen amid coronavirus disease outbreak in Lacolle, Quebec, April 17
Canada is seeing a spike of about 2,000 new cases per day compared to just 300 in July and the US is seeing a surge of about 47,000 cases. Pictured: US customs vehicles standing ear a sign reading that the border is closed to non-essential traffic in Ontario, March 22
Canadian officials earlier announced they would ease some restrictions next Thursday to allow for more family reunifications, and plans to allow some new international students to attend learning institutions.
When the measures were first introduced they prompted protests from people separated from family members.
'We recognize that travel restrictions should not keep loved ones apart,' Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters.
'In these challenging times, we know those challenges are best met with the strength and support of those we love by our side.'
Staring on October 8, Canada will allow the entry of certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship of at least one year
The US embassy in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.
On Wednesday, four US Senators sent a letter to Trump asking that the US and Canada end a blanketed approach to the border closing and vary it depending on what states border the northern nation
Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King, (I-Maine), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire and Jeanne Shaheen, (D-New Hampshire) say cases in their respective states are low and their is a low risk of cross-border transmission.
"As states and localities in the interiors of our nations continue to reopen, we are concerned that border communities that have historically depended on day-to-day cross-border commerce will be left behind, even as their risk of COVID-19 transmission appears to remain low," the four Senators wrote.
'The protracted closure of the world’s longest international land border to all but essential travel has put immense strain on the communities that straddle the border.'
According to the International Boundary Commission, 13 states border Canada, with Alaska sharing the longest border at 1,538 miles.
Both Canada and the US are reporting a rapid spike in cases.
A second wave is sweeping Canada, where health officials are reporting almost 2,000 new cases a day compared to just 300 in July.
Meanwhile, in the US, several states are reporting surges including Florida, Wisconsin, North Dakota and New York - with an average of 47,000 cases per day.
Trump and the First Lady tested positive after political adviser Hope Hicks was confirmed to have COVID-19.
The pair will be self-isolating for 14 days, and Trump is reported by The New York Times to have 'minor symptoms.'
After the first presidential debate on Tuesday, Google searches for 'move to Canada' spiked around 10.30pm from less than 25 to more than 100 per hour.
