U.S. extends travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico


On April 20, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced the U.S. would extend travel restrictions placed on Canada and Mexico an additional 30 days to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday that restrictions would remain in place. The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs confirmed the extension in a tweet Monday.

The restrictions, initially put into place in late March in coordination with both countries, closed the borders to nonessential travel. Essential travel, including for trade and commerce, was still allowed, but traveling for tourism or recreation was prohibited.

The closure of the U.S.-Canadian border went into effect on March 19, 2020. Travel restrictions between the U.S. and Mexico took effect on March 21. The White House announced at the time that the restrictions would be reevaluated within 30 days.

In addition to travel restrictions placed on foreign countries by the federal government, 19 U.S. states have issued executive orders placing restrictions on out-of-state travelers.

Additional Reading:
Federal government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020