Granite State Times

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently extended its current nonessential-travel ban to both Canada and Mexico until at least Saturday, Aug. 21.

The ban has been in effect since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the U.S. government extending its duration on a monthly basis, WMUR 9 News reported.

Canada recently announced that it would start allowing fully vaccinated U.S. visitors to cross its borders beginning on Monday, Aug. 9, for nonessential travel, according to Reuters.

Gov. Chris Sununu | Twitter

“This decision by the federal government to once again delay border crossings with Canada is absurd,” Gov. Chris Sununu wrote in a July 21 Tweet. “It harms our small businesses and families and does not follow the science. Canada has announced they will open their borders to fully vaccinated Americans, and it’s time the USA follows suit.” 

The restrictions do no apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the country, people traveling for medical purposes, to attend school or to conduct essential business. The U.S. allows Canadians to cross the border as long as they present a negative COVID-19 test.

U.S. health officials report rising rates of the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus throughout the nation, especially in regions with low vaccination rates.