Canada, US likely to extend coronavirus travel restrictions until June 21: Canadian sources
Current border restrictions go until May 21
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OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel until June 21 amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, two Canadian government sources said on Wednesday.
Canada and the United States had agreed on April 18 to extend border restrictions until May 21 as cases of the disease continue to rise in both nations. Canada is now pressing for the measures to stay in place for another month.
"It's too early to lift the restrictions, so we're working toward an extension," said one Canadian source, describing the talks with Washington as positive. A second source said the discussions had been collaborative.
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The sources requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. News of the Canadian request for a 30-say extension was first reported by the Globe and Mail newspaper.
The Canadian border is pictured at the Peace Arch Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, March 20, 2020. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)
Representatives for the State Department could not be immediately reached for comment on the report.
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On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada was "looking at stronger measures" to ensure the virus was not being spread by people crossing the long border with the United States, but gave no details.
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(Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa, Bhargav Acharya in Bengaluru and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Bernadette Baum)