Travel Restriction Extended
IRCC announced the extension of travel restrictions for international travelers as cases of COVID-19 constantly rising.
A Canadian government Order in Council states that coronavirus travel restrictions will be extended until Halloween, on October 31. Canada initially closed its borders from March 18 to June 30. Since then travel restrictions have been rolled over on a month-by-month basis. The border is closed to foreign travelers who are coming to Canada for a non-essential reason such as recreation, tourism, or entertainment.
Some people are exempt from travel restrictions, such as:
Canadian citizens (including dual citizens) or permanent residents;
Approved for Canadian permanent residence Candidates;
Temporary foreign workers;
International students;
Immediate family members of Canadians; or
Anyone else who falls under the exemptions listed on the cic.gc.ca
Canada has a separate order in place that has also limited access to border travel between Canada and the U.S. since March. The decision to extend Canada’s travel restrictions comes as no surprise in light of the spreading COVID-19 cases in Canada and Every other nation. Canada was able to successfully flatten the coronavirus curve from late May until August. However, COVID-19 cases have been steadily increasing since late August. Canada’s largest provinces, Ontario and Quebec, have announced stricter measures in recent days to try and reduce the significantly higher levels of COVID-19 cases they have experienced over the past month. Although the number of individuals completing their permanent residence landing in Canada is much lower than usual due to the pandemic.
Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino has made a series of remarks throughout the pandemic suggesting that “Immigration will be Vital to Canada’s Economic Recovery”.