Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions until Sept. 21

The U.S. port of entry into Blaine, Wash., is seen in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA — Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border are being extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two countries will continue their mutual ban on non-essential cross-border trips until at least Sept. 21.

Ahead of the formal announcement, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said in a tweet that officials would keep doing what's necessary to keep communities safe.

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The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to so-called "discretionary" travel like vacations and shopping trips since the pandemic took hold of the continent in mid-March.

The agreement, which has been renewed before, was set to expire Aug. 21.

The United States has been grappling with fresh COVID-19 outbreaks across the country in recent weeks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2020.

The Canadian Press