Canada, U.S. tentatively agree to extend border closure: source
Posted April 17, 2020 6:58 am.
Last Updated April 17, 2020 10:24 am.
OTTAWA – A senior government source has confirmed Canada and the United States have reached a tentative agreement to extend current border restrictions by another 30 days.
The restrictions banning all but essential travel were initially put in place in mid-March, and were set to expire in a few days.
BREAKING: Senior government source confirms to me Canada and the United States have reached an agreement to extend the border restrictions by another 30 days. Deal awaiting final approval #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 17, 2020
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said relaxing restrictions at the border was still a long way off after President Donald Trump had signalled he was open to easing them.
“I think there was a recognition by the president, as I’ve highlighted many times, that the closeness, the collaboration, the friendship between Canada and the United States is quite unlike any other, and therefore, the work that we continue to do to keep our citizens safe, while coordinating very carefully, is unlike our approaches with other countries around the world,” Trudeau said.
“There’s a recognition that, as we move forward, there will be special thought given to this relationship, but at the same time, we know that there is a significant amount of time still before we can talk about loosening such restrictions.”
Trudeau has also warned reopening the economy or lifting restrictions too soon could have disastrous results, and undo the work already done to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The deal is now awaiting final approval.
The border is still open to essential travel such as the transportation of goods in order to keep the economy and supply chain as healthy as they can be during the coronavirus pandemic.
-With files from CityNews
