AS a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and Canada are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across their borders.

The U.S.-Canada land border serves as an economic engine that supports over $2.4 billion dollars in daily trade.

“In each of our countries, we are encouraging people to exercise caution by avoiding unnecessary contact with others. This collaborative and reciprocal measure is an extension of that prudent approach,” according to a press statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Non-essential” travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.

“The United States and Canada recognize it is critical we preserve supply chains between both countries. These supply chains ensure that food, fuel, and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border. Supply chains, including trucking, will not be impacted by this new measure. Americans and Canadians also cross the land border every day to do essential work or for other urgent or essential reasons, and that travel will not be impacted,” says the statement.

This decision will be implemented on Saturday, March 21 at which time the U.S. and Canada will temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada land border. The measure will be in place for 30 days, at which point it will be reviewed by both parties.