The Department of Homeland Security has extended bans on nonessential land travel across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.

Key Points:

  • The restrictions will remain in place through April 21, 11:59 pm EDT.
  • Only “essential travel” is permitted through land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders.
  • The list of individuals permitted to engage in “essential travel” includes: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) returning to the U.S. and people traveling to work in the U.S. (e.g., agricultural workers), engaging in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers transporting goods), or traveling to attend school, receive medical treatment, for public health purposes, or a limited number of other reasons.
  • The restrictions do not apply to air or sea travel, but do apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel and pleasure boat travel.

Additional Information: The nonessential travel bans were imposed in March of last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were initially in place for 30 days and have been extended continuously since then.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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