US borders with Canada, Mexico to remain closed to nonessential travel for another month

US borders with Canada, Mexico to remain closed to nonessential travel through June 21 DHS confirmed the extension of border travel restrictions but noted it is "working closely with Canada & Mexico to safely ease restrictions." Jayme Deerwester USA TODAY

The Department of Homeland Security says the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico will remain restricted through at least June 21, with only trade and essential travel allowed until then.

The DHS confirmed the move in a tweet Thursday, but noted it is "working closely with Canada & Mexico to safely ease restrictions as conditions improve."

The agency, in conjunction with its Canadian and Mexican counterparts, originally closed the U.S.' northern and southern borders to leisure travelers in March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions have been extended on a monthly basis ever since.

In the intervening year, Canada has tightened its border security, requiring anyone entering by plane or land to be tested in advance for COVID-19. In addition, anyone traveling to Canada from the U.S. must prove that they are doing so for essential reasons and must quarantine upon arrival. ...

Earlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that he would prefer to wait until 75% of his country is vaccinated before fully reopening the border; according to USA TODAY data, 48.1% have been at least partially vaccinated as of Thursday.

"My gut tells me it's going to be (closed) at least well into the fall of 2021," he predicted a week earlier.