U.S. to extend nonessential travel ban at land borders until Aug. 20

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed via Twitter that it will extend restrictions on nonessential travel at land ports of entry with Canada and Mexico until Aug. 20. The agency has not yet released a formal announcement.

Key points:

• Only “essential travel” is permitted at all 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 include 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 March 20, initially for 30 days, and have since been extended in 30-day increments.

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

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