U.S. Land Borders With Mexico and Canada to Remain Closed to Non-Essential Travel
Vehicles are lined up to cross the U.S.-Mexico border and enter Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in both of the twin border cities on November 18, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. The two cities are deeply connected by geography, culture and economy. The mayor of Ciudad Juárez sent a letter in October to the foreign secretary of Mexico, asking for a prohibition of Americans and other foreigners entering the country. The letter stated ‘indiscriminate crossings are contributing very actively to the spread of the virus.’ Mario Tama/Getty Images

The United States will continue to limit inbound land border crossings from Mexico and Canada to "essential travel" until Mar. 21, the first anniversary of the travel restrictions imposed to address COVID-19 transmission concerns.

The U.S. government announced Friday the new 30-day extension under the administration of President Joe Biden. According to a Reuters report, the White House has been holding meetings about possibly imposing stricter requirements for crossing at U.S. land borders in North America.

Canada has shown little interest in removing the restrictions and recently imposed new COVID-19 testing requirements for some Canadians returning by land crossings.

U.S. COVID-19 Testing Requirements

The U.S. government required nearly all international air travelers to get a COVID-19 test within three days of travel since Jan. 26. But it has no similar requirements for land border crossings.

However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it's not going to recommend that airline passengers be tested for COVID-19 before boarding domestic flights for now.

"As part of our close monitoring of the pandemic, in particular the continued spread of variants, we will continue to review public health options for containing and mitigating spread of COVID-19 in the travel space," the CDC told USA Today.

The agency maintained its position that no one should be traveling currently. However, the CDC noted that if someone must travel, they should get tested with a viral test one to three days before the trip.

After the trip, the passenger should also get tested with a viral test in three to five days and stay home and self-quarantine for seven days even if test results are negative. The agency noted that this is a recommended public health measure to reduce risk.

Last month, Biden issued an executive order, directing officials to immediately start diplomatic outreach to Canada and Mexico's governments about the public health protocols for land ports of entry, U.S. News reported.

The order further noted that U.S. agencies must also submit a plan to Biden within 14 days to impose proper public health measures at land ports of entry.

The CDC added that the plan should implement CDC guidelines, consistent with appropriate law, and consider the operational materials relevant to different populations entering the U.S.

Global COVID-19 Vaccination Program

According to an NBC News report, the Biden administration plans to allocate $4 billion to a global COVID-19 vaccine program that aims to help developing countries.

The U.S. will contribute the first $2 billion in the coming days to a World Health Organization-backed program called COVAX that supports access to vaccines for 92 countries.

Officials said that the initiative would amp up American national security interests by helping address the pandemic globally.

Another $2 billion will be contributed over the next two years, including $500 million when donor pledges are fulfilled and initial doses are delivered.

Administration officials said that contributing the funds will help Americans reduce the risk of more mutations that could extend the pandemic. A senior official noted that they deem it necessary to really put U.S. leadership to do this.