Canada extends ban to most foreign travelers

Canada is extending the ban to most travelers entering the country until the end of September to limit the spread of COVID-19, the government announced Friday.

And Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning from abroad will remain subject to strict quarantine measures, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced on Twitter.

This restriction has been in effect since mid-March.

An exception was made in June that allows spouses, children, parents or guardians of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to enter the country.

An agreement between Canada and the United States also allows essential travelers to pass through their shared border, the longest in the world. That deal was extended earlier this month through September 21.

All travelers have been subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Foreign nationals showing symptoms of COVID-19 cannot enter Canada.

Goods shipments continue.

As of Friday, Canada had recorded more than 127,000 cases of the new coronavirus and nearly 9,140 deaths.

© 2020 AFP