The U.S. land borders with Mexico and Canada will remain closed for nonessential travel until at least Dec. 21, after the three countries agreed to extend the restrictions as COVID-19 surges.
Officials announced the border closure extension on Thursday. Trucks will continue to move freely across the borders, as the movement of essential goods remains exempt from the restrictions.
The borders have been closed for nonessential travel since March to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The extension was largely expected as cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. However, promising results from trials of two COVID-19 vaccine candidates have raised hopes that the restrictions could be lifted in 2021.
The restrictions haven’t directly affected cross-border freight volumes, which have recovered from their pandemic lows.