Peterson Announces U.S.-Canada Border Restrictions

Washington DC – Congressman Collin Peterson announced new restrictions at the border between the United States and Canada, which will be put into place by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) starting March 21, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions mean that travelers will no longer be permitted to cross the border for recreation or tourism, but that essential travel will continue. The bilateral deal to restrict travel across the U.S.-Canada border has a 30-day sunset clause.

“In my district, commerce doesn’t stop at the border,” said Peterson. “I will work with the Administration to ensure these restrictions are time-limited and implemented in good faith on both sides of the border as an added layer of protection in the efforts to lessen the impact of COVID-19.”

Minnesota shares a 547-mile border with the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. There are five border crossings in the Seventh District, including Baudette, Lancester, Piney Creek-Piney, Roseau and Warroad.

The notification of temporary travel restrictions at Land Ports of Entry defines essential travel as follows:

For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to “essential travel,” which includes, but is not limited to—

· U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;

· Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);

· Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;

· Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work);

· Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);

· Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada);

· Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;

· Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and

· Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—

· Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events).

At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada, but does apply to passenger rail and ferry travel between the United States and Canada.

These restrictions are temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 20, 2020.

Peterson is a member of the Northern Border Caucus. The Northern Border constitutes the longest land boundary between two countries in the world. At 5,525 miles, approximately 400,000 people and over $1.6 billion in goods cross the border daily through more than 120 ports of entry.