Businesses, US legislators fume as Canada extends travel ban; Trudeau stands firm

OTTAWA: Canada is extending a ban on nonessential travel with the United States and the rest of the world until July 21, officials said on Friday, prompting frustration from businesses and US legislators.

Canada is under pressure from companies and the tourism industry to ease the ban, which was imposed in March 2020 to help contain spread of the coronavirus and has been renewed on a monthly basis ever since.

But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood firm, saying the border would stay largely shut until 75 percent of Canadians had received the first of a two-dose coronavirus vaccine and 20 percent had been given both shots.

Although Trudeau said Canada had basically achieved the first target, official data released after he spoke showed 73.4 percent had received their first shot. Only 14.7 percent of the eligible population has had both shots.