U.S.-Canada Border Closure Extended Until September 21

TOPLINE

The U.S.-Canada border will remain closed to nonessential travel for another month, officials announced on Friday, as cases in the U.S. continue to increase.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“We will continue to do what’s necessary to keep our communities safe,” Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said.

Big number

123,280. That’s how many coronavirus cases Canada has seen during the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins. The U.S. has 5.2 million.

Chief critic

Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), whose district includes Buffalo and Niagara Falls, said the continued closure is straining the economy in his constituency. He blamed the Trump Administration for failing to control the coronavirus, adding that the Canadian response was “early, strong and united.”

“Forty-five percent of our business at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport is citizens from Canada—by and large from Ontario. Our retail economy is highly dependent on the Canadian shopper. Canadians spend $10 million a year on healthcare in western New York,” he said, according to CBC News.

Tangent

The U.S-Mexico border will also remain closed until September 21.

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