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Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions until Sept. 21

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The U.S. port of entry into Blaine, Wash., is seen in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA — Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border are being extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two countries will continue their mutual ban on non-essential cross-border trips until at least Sept. 21.

Ahead of the formal announcement, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said in a tweet that officials would keep doing what's necessary to keep communities safe.

The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to so-called "discretionary" travel like vacations and shopping trips since the pandemic took hold of the continent in mid-March.

The agreement, which has been renewed before, was set to expire Aug. 21.

The United States has been grappling with fresh COVID-19 outbreaks across the country in recent weeks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2020.

The Canadian Press

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