Canada has announced an extension of restrictions on international travel in an effort to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus amid an ongoing second wave of the pandemic in the country.

In a statement issued on 29 November, minister of public safety and emergency preparedness Bill Blair announced that travel restrictions on US citizens would be extended until 21 December and curbs on people arriving from other countries would be extended until 21 January, 2021.

The restrictions, which were brought forward on 16 March, ban most foreign nationals from entering Canada for non-essential travel. There are a number of exceptions for immediate family members of citizens, essential workers, seasonal workers, caregivers and international students.

The latest extension brings the timing of international travel restrictions in alignment with those governing the Canada-US land border. Previously, international restrictions expired on the last day of each month while the Canada-US border restrictions expired on the 21 December. Both have been regularly extended since March.

“The government continues to evaluate the travel restrictions and prohibitions as well as the requirement to quarantine or isolate on an ongoing basis to ensure Canadians remain healthy and safe,” the minister said in the statement. “The ability to align US and international travel extension dates, as well as the mandatory isolation order, beginning on 21 January 2021, will enable the government to communicate any travel extensions or changes as quickly as possible and provide certainty for Canadians, US and international travellers.”