U.S. and Canadian officials are set to meet Tuesday to discuss how to finally raise pandemic-related border restrictions between both nations, but no immediate action is anticipated, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Monday.
U.S. and Canadian business leaders have voiced increasing concern about the ban on non-essential traveling at land borders due to COVID-19 that has been enforced in March 2020 and continues to be renewed on a daily basis since. The steps, which also apply to the U.S.-Mexico border, don’t have an effect on trade or other traveling.
The current restrictions are set to expire June 21, but U.S. and industry officials expect they’ll be long again.
Biden administration was forming expert working groups with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and the United Kingdom to ascertain how best to safely restart travel after 15 months of pandemic restrictions.
A meeting is expected to occur with Mexico after this week and meetings with all the United Kingdom and EU are now set for next week, but the timing could shift, three individuals briefed about the meetings said.
U.S. restrictions prevent many non-U.S. citizens who have been in the uk, the 26 Schengen countries in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil within the previous 14 days from travel to the USA.
Daily Reuters noted previously that U.S. and airline officials don’t believe U.S. restrictions will be increased until around July 4 at the earliest.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday he has spoken with U.S. President Joe Biden about how to lift the limitations, but made apparent no breakthrough was achieved.
Two officials said the working groups are all expected to meet twice a month.
Canada last week took a cautious first step, saying it was ready to relax quarantine protocols for completely vaccinated citizens returning home starting in early July.