By tweet, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension of the travel restrictions at the Northern and Southern land and sea borders until June 21, 2021.  These borders have been closed to “non-essential” travel since March 2020 due to COVID-19.  According to the restrictions:

• Individuals are not admitted for tourism, sightseeing, recreation, gambling, attending cultural events, or other non-essential purposes.

• Individual are admitted for “essential” purposes including travel for work, medical reasons, to attend educational institutions, and diplomatic or military-related travel.

• Citizens and permanent residents of the country they are entering are excepted from the ban.

While these restrictions do not apply to air travel, some families have not been able to see each other for over a year. But, in accordance with its tweet, DHS has stated it is working with Canada and Mexico to “ease restrictions as conditions improve.” Canada’s COVID-19 positivity rate is dropping in some provinces, while infections multiply in others. In the meantime, DOS has issued Level 4 Do Not Travel Advisories for both Canada and Mexico.

Jackson Lewis will provide updates on the travel restrictions as they become available.