Canada and US about to extend ban on non-essential travel across border to June 21

OTTAWA/WASHINGTON D.C., May 13, 2020, National Post. Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a May 21 ban on non-essential travel by an additional month amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, sources in both nations said on Wednesday (May 13), National Post reported.

The two neighbors had agreed on April 18 to extend border restrictions until May 21 as cases of the disease continue to rise in both nations. Canada is now pressing for the measures to remain until June 21.

“It’s too early to lift the restrictions, so we’re working toward an extension,” said one Canadian government source, describing the talks with Washington as positive.

In Washington, a U.S. official confirmed the two sides were set to agree on a 30-day extension.

On Tuesday, the chief Canadian public health officer said the United States – where cases are increasing steadily – presented a risk. “This virus could take off rapidly if we are not extremely slow and cautious with our approach,” Dr. Theresa Tam said.

The sources requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. News of the request for a 30-day extension was first reported by the Globe and Mail newspaper.

The agreement allows the flow of goods across a border that stretches 8,891 km and is a crossing point for one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships.

The United States takes 75% of all Canadian goods exports.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said talks about the border “are going well and we’re confident about being able to continue to keep Canadians safe,” adding that the overall collaboration with the United States had been exceptional.

That’s a softening in tone from Tuesday when Trudeau said preventing transmission from the United States would be important for ensuring no second COVID wave washes over Canada “that could be as serious as this wave we’re going through, or even more so,” he said.

“So we’re going to be very, very careful about reopening any international travel, including the United States, before we feel that it is time.”

The U.S. official said Washington and Mexico were also set to extend similar restrictions on non-essential travel. Separately, a Mexican government source said an extension for a limited period seemed likely.

The total Canadian death toll edged up by just over 3% to 5,209 from 5,049 on Tuesday, official data showed on Wednesday. The data are another sign the outbreak is slowing whereas the situation in parts of the United States is more challenging. The disease has killed more than 82,000 Americans, the highest death toll in any single country.

Tam on Tuesday said the coronavirus “could take off rapidly” unless extreme caution was exercised about relaxing the ban.

“The United States being one country that still has cases and is still trying to manage outbreaks … presents a risk to Canada from that perspective.”

Provincial leaders, in particular Ontario’s Doug Ford, have made it clear they don’t want visitors from the U.S., currently home to more than a million active cases of COVID-19.

“We love our American neighbours to the south, but right now we are going to have to keep the borders closed, especially just for visits,” he said. “We just can’t chance it.”

Trudeau said the health of Canadians will be paramount.

“Right now we’re making decisions for right now, obviously, there are reflections on what next steps could be,” he said. “Every step of the way, in this unprecedented situation we’re reacting to, and responding to the realities we see now and that’s where we will stay focused. We’re focused on keeping Canadians safe every step of the way.”

President Donald Trump, meanwhile — trying to get re-elected in November on the heels of the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression — has been aggressively lobbying states to get residents back to work and refire the country’s economic engines.

The government’s recent rhetoric on the border, combined with a rare public acknowledgment Tuesday from the U.S. State Department of the continuing co-operation across North America, suggests the ongoing talks may have moved into a new phase.

“The United States appreciates Canada’s close and constant co-operation regarding the management of the border during this unprecedented crisis,” acting U.S. ambassador to Canada Richard Mills said in an unsolicited statement Tuesday.

Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has been hosting weekly calls with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts since March 19 “to share best practices in responding to the unique and complex challenges presented by the global pandemic and planning for safely reopening our economies and commerce,” the State Department said.

Peter Loewen, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, said Trump’s recent tendency to grasp at straws, such as by musing about the promise of UV light and disinfectants, suggest he’s feeling “boxed in” by the crisis and willing to take his chances.

“I think he’s in that psychological state where he’s willing to gamble,” Loewen said. “Trump realizes that he’s staring down a large number of deaths, so he’s willing to basically roll the dice.”

With files from Ryan Tumilty and James McCarten, The Canadian Press.