The Department of Homeland Security will extend the ban on nonessential land travel with Canada and Mexico. Prepublication versions of the notices extending the bans were posted today.

Key Points:

  • The restrictions will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 21.
  • 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 March 20 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were initially in place for 30 days and have since been extended in month-long increments 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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