Canada extending ban on foreign travellers to July 31

The government of Canada has extended its coronavirus travel restrictions for one more month to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for "essential" reasons.

Initially the travel restrictions were introduced on March 16 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and expired on June 30. Those exempted from the ban were air crew, diplomats and immediate family members of citizens. Some seasonal workers, caregivers and international students were also exempted.

The order, which expired last night, "has been extended until July 31 for public health reasons," Rebecca Purdy, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, said in a statement to CBC News.

This decision to extend travel restrictions did not surprise anyone as last week, during his daily press briefing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would not rush to re-open the borders. Canada and the U.S. will also continue to restrict cross-border travel until July 21.

Another new order that requires travelers to quarantine for 14 days on arrival has also been extended until August 31.