Over 30K Travellers Have Now Been Stopped At Canada's Borders Since March 2020

They arrived from the U.S. via air and land. ✈️
Canada's Borders Are Closed To Non-Essential Travel But 30K People Still Got Stopped
canborder | Instagram Jackbluee | Dreamstime
Managing Editor, Canada

Although Canada’s borders remain closed to all non-essential travel, it hasn’t stopped over 30,000 people from attempting to enter the country. 

New data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has revealed that as many as 30,475 foreign nationals were prevented from entering Canada between March 22, 2020, and January 6, 2021.

Editor's Choice: One Province Just Implemented Its Own Travel Rules & All Visitors Must Now Isolate

30,475 People turned away at Canada's borders

The travellers stopped at the border were arriving from the United States via air and land.

According to Global News, 26,572 of the passengers were American citizens, while 3,903 were other foreign nationals attempting to visit Canada through the U.S.

The CBSA explained that around 30% of the travellers were turned away as they were visiting for tourism and sightseeing purposes, while 11% said they were coming to Canada for recreational reasons.

An additional 5% said non-essential shopping was the reason they were trying to visit.

In addition to those arriving from the States, another 756 people from overseas attempted to enter Canada by air for non-essential reasons.

While Justin Trudeau has said on multiple occasions that Canada’s current border control measures are “working,” he’s recently urged Canadians to cancel all upcoming vacations as he says stronger travel restrictions are to be announced.

non-essential
TravelCanada
  • Helena Hanson

    Managing Editor

    Helena Hanson (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Canada for Narcity and MTL Blog, where she brings her expertise in dreamy, aspirational travel journalism to life. A first-class graduate of Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Helena has a passion for inspiring readers to discover the magic in their own backyards. Originally from the U.K., Helena has spent years uncovering hidden gems and must-see destinations across countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and more. Having lived in both Canada and Australia, she's become a seasoned expert in off-the-beaten-path adventures and bucket-list experiences that don't break the bank. Whether she's writing about things to do in Ottawa, Montreal, or her favourite spot—Disney World—Helena hopes to leave readers dreaming of their next adventure.

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