Canada and the US decide to keep the border closed till May 20

The COVID 19 pandemic forced countries to impose travel restrictions on residents and tourists to contain the virus. Canada and the United States shook hands on a mutual deal about a month ago, which states that they will close their borders. Now, the two countries have decided that it would be beneficial to extend the closure for another 30 days. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, made the announcement.

Initially, the agreement was going to expire on April 20, but it has been delayed a month. The borders will be closed until May 20. The extension of the cross-border journey restrictions will help to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

What are the rules?

Essential trade will function the same way as before. The rules have not been further tightened. Trucks, along with rail traffic, will be able to cross the border regularly in order to maintain a constant inflow of food, fuel, and medicines. Both countries will benefit from this arrangement. Nobody is permitted to cross the border for non-essential purposes like shopping.

Foreign nationals living in Canada will not be allowed to apply for a temporary visa via the method of flagpoling. People will still be able to apply for or renew their study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, but they will not have the benefits of flagpoling. The applicants should be able to give a perfect demonstration of why they should be given permission to stay in Canada in the application. They will no longer be able to explain their intentions face to face. It is important to note that these travel restrictions are also applicable to asylum seekers who might try to cross the border via unofficial crossings.

According to the US President Donald Trump, Canada is the first country he would like to remove the travel restrictions for.