Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada, 51634-51635 [2020-18470]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES 51634 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 163 / Friday, August 21, 2020 / Rules and Regulations entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United StatesMexico border shall be limited to ‘‘essential travel,’’ which includes, but is not limited to— • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States; • Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States); • Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions; • Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Mexico in furtherance of such work); • Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID–19 or other emergencies); • Individuals engaged in lawful crossborder trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Mexico); • Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel; • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and • Individuals engaged in militaryrelated travel or operations. The following travel does not fall within the definition of ‘‘essential travel’’ for purposes of this Notification— • Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events). At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the United States and Mexico, but does apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat travel between the United States and Mexico. These restrictions are temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 21, 2020. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior to that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific threat. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic stability or social order, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:00 Aug 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 constitute ‘‘essential travel’’ under this Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized basis and for humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United States not engaged in ‘‘essential travel.’’ The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, having reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to Chad R. Mizelle, who is the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel for DHS, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register. Chad R. Mizelle, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2020–18468 Filed 8–19–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9112–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Customs and Border Protection 19 CFR Chapter I Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions. AGENCY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be limited to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in this document. temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in that document.1 The document described the developing circumstances regarding the COVID–19 pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID–19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary had determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID–19 between the United States and Canada posed a ‘‘specific threat to human life or national interests.’’ The Secretary later published a series of notifications continuing such limitations on travel until 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 20, 2020.2 The Secretary has continued to monitor and respond to the COVID–19 pandemic. As of August 17, there are over 21.2 million confirmed cases globally, with over 761,000 confirmed deaths.3 There are over 5.3 million confirmed and probable cases within the United States,4 over 121,000 confirmed cases in Canada,5 and over 511,000 confirmed cases in Mexico.6 Notice of Action Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID–19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID–19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing ‘‘specific threat to human life or national interests.’’ SUMMARY: These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on August 21, 2020, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 21, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyce Modesto, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at 202–344–3788. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Background On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of the Secretary’s decision to PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 1 85 FR 16548 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day, DHS also published notice of the Secretary’s decision to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in that document. 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 2020). 2 See 85 FR 44185 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37744 (June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31050 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR 22352 (Apr. 22, 2020). DHS also published parallel notifications of the Secretary’s decisions to continue temporarily limiting the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to ‘‘essential travel.’’ See 85 FR 44183 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37745 (June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31057 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR 22353 (Apr. 22, 2020). 3 WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) Situation Report—209 (Aug. 16, 2020), available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200816-covid-19sitrep-209.pdf?sfvrsn=5dde1ca2_2. 4 CDC, Cases of COVID–19 in the U.S. (last updated Aug. 17, 2020), available at https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/casesupdates/cases-in-us.html. 5 WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) Situation Report—209 (Aug. 16, 2020). 6 Id. E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 163 / Friday, August 21, 2020 / Rules and Regulations jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES U.S. and Canadian officials have mutually determined that non-essential travel between the United States and Canada poses additional risk of transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID–19 and places the populace of both nations at increased risk of contracting the virus associated with COVID–19. Moreover, given the sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, returning to previous levels of travel between the two nations places the personnel staffing land ports of entry between the United States and Canada, as well as the individuals traveling through these ports of entry, at increased risk of exposure to the virus associated with COVID–19. Accordingly, and consistent with the authority granted in 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),7 I have determined that land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border will continue to suspend normal operations and will only allow processing for entry into the United States of those travelers engaged in ‘‘essential travel,’’ as defined below. Given the definition of ‘‘essential travel’’ below, this temporary alteration in land ports of entry operations should not interrupt legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical supply chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical materials reach individuals on both sides of the border. For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States7 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that ‘‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury, when necessary to respond to a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or to a specific threat to human life or national interests,’’ is authorized to ‘‘[t]ake any . . . action that may be necessary to respond directly to the national emergency or specific threat.’’ On March 1, 2003, certain functions of the Secretary of the Treasury were transferred to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1). Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ‘‘related to Customs revenue functions’’ were reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury. To the extent that any authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas. Dep’t Order No. 100–16 (May 15, 2003), 68 FR 28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(2) provides that ‘‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, when necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national interests, is authorized to close temporarily any Customs office or port of entry or take any other lesser action that may be necessary to respond to the specific threat.’’ Congress has vested in the Secretary of Homeland Security the ‘‘functions of all officers, employees, and organizational units of the Department,’’ including the Commissioner of CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:00 Aug 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 Canada border shall be limited to ‘‘essential travel,’’ which includes, but is not limited to— • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States; • Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States); • Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions; • Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work); • Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID–19 or other emergencies); • Individuals engaged in lawful crossborder trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada); • Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel; • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and • Individuals engaged in militaryrelated travel or operations. The following travel does not fall within the definition of ‘‘essential travel’’ for purposes of this Notification— • Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events). At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada, but does apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat travel between the United States and Canada. These restrictions are temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 21, 2020. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior to that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific threat. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic stability or social order, constitute ‘‘essential travel’’ under this Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized basis and for PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 51635 humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United States not engaged in ‘‘essential travel.’’ The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, having reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to Chad R. Mizelle, who is the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel for DHS, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register. Chad R. Mizelle, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2020–18470 Filed 8–19–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9112–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 610 [Docket No. FDA–2018–N–4757] RIN 0910–AH95 Revocation of the Test for Mycoplasma AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Final rule. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is issuing a final rule to remove the specified test for the presence of Mycoplasma for live virus vaccines and inactivated virus vaccines produced from in vitro living cell cultures. The rule is being finalized because the existing test for Mycoplasma is overly restrictive in that it identifies only one test method in detail to be used even though other methods also may be appropriate. More sensitive and specific methods exist and are currently being practiced, and removal of the specific method to test for Mycoplasma provides flexibility for accommodating new and evolving technology and capabilities without diminishing public health protections. This action is part of FDA’s implementation of Executive Orders under which FDA is comprehensively reviewing existing regulations to identify opportunities for repeal, replacement, or modification that will result in meaningful burden reduction, while allowing the Agency to achieve our public health mission and fulfill statutory obligations. DATES: This rule is effective September 21, 2020. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 163 (Friday, August 21, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51634-51635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18470]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Chapter I


Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land 
Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of 
Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the 
travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports 
of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be 
limited to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in this document.

DATES: These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time (EDT) on August 21, 2020, and will remain in effect until 11:59 
p.m. EDT on September 21, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyce Modesto, Office of Field 
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at 202-344-3788.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of the Secretary's decision 
to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the 
United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada 
border to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in that document.\1\ 
The document described the developing circumstances regarding the 
COVID-19 pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued 
transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 within 
the United States and globally, the Secretary had determined that the 
risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with 
COVID-19 between the United States and Canada posed a ``specific threat 
to human life or national interests.'' The Secretary later published a 
series of notifications continuing such limitations on travel until 
11:59 p.m. EDT on August 20, 2020.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 85 FR 16548 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day, DHS also 
published notice of the Secretary's decision to temporarily limit 
the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land 
ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to ``essential 
travel,'' as further defined in that document. 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 
2020).
    \2\ See 85 FR 44185 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37744 (June 24, 
2020); 85 FR 31050 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR 22352 (Apr. 22, 2020). DHS 
also published parallel notifications of the Secretary's decisions 
to continue temporarily limiting the travel of individuals from 
Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the 
United States-Mexico border to ``essential travel.'' See 85 FR 44183 
(July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37745 (June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31057 (May 22, 
2020); 85 FR 22353 (Apr. 22, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Secretary has continued to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 
pandemic. As of August 17, there are over 21.2 million confirmed cases 
globally, with over 761,000 confirmed deaths.\3\ There are over 5.3 
million confirmed and probable cases within the United States,\4\ over 
121,000 confirmed cases in Canada,\5\ and over 511,000 confirmed cases 
in Mexico.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report--
209 (Aug. 16, 2020), available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200816-covid-19-sitrep-209.pdf?sfvrsn=5dde1ca2_2.
    \4\ CDC, Cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. (last updated Aug. 17, 
2020), available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html.
    \5\ WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report--
209 (Aug. 16, 2020).
    \6\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Action

    Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-
19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined 
that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus 
associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an 
ongoing ``specific threat to human life or national interests.''

[[Page 51635]]

    U.S. and Canadian officials have mutually determined that non-
essential travel between the United States and Canada poses additional 
risk of transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 
and places the populace of both nations at increased risk of 
contracting the virus associated with COVID-19. Moreover, given the 
sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, returning to 
previous levels of travel between the two nations places the personnel 
staffing land ports of entry between the United States and Canada, as 
well as the individuals traveling through these ports of entry, at 
increased risk of exposure to the virus associated with COVID-19. 
Accordingly, and consistent with the authority granted in 19 U.S.C. 
1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),\7\ I have determined that land ports of entry 
along the U.S.-Canada border will continue to suspend normal operations 
and will only allow processing for entry into the United States of 
those travelers engaged in ``essential travel,'' as defined below. 
Given the definition of ``essential travel'' below, this temporary 
alteration in land ports of entry operations should not interrupt 
legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical supply 
chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical materials 
reach individuals on both sides of the border.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury, when 
necessary to respond to a national emergency declared under the 
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or to a specific 
threat to human life or national interests,'' is authorized to 
``[t]ake any . . . action that may be necessary to respond directly 
to the national emergency or specific threat.'' On March 1, 2003, 
certain functions of the Secretary of the Treasury were transferred 
to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1). 
Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ``related to Customs revenue 
functions'' were reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury. To the 
extent that any authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to 
the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated to the 
Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas. Dep't Order No. 100-16 
(May 15, 2003), 68 FR 28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C. 
1318(b)(2) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, when 
necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national 
interests, is authorized to close temporarily any Customs office or 
port of entry or take any other lesser action that may be necessary 
to respond to the specific threat.'' Congress has vested in the 
Secretary of Homeland Security the ``functions of all officers, 
employees, and organizational units of the Department,'' including 
the Commissioner of CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated 
ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and 
(b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals 
along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to ``essential 
travel,'' which includes, but is not limited to--
     U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to 
the United States;
     Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to 
receive medical treatment in the United States);
     Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
     Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., 
individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must 
travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such 
work);
     Individuals traveling for emergency response and public 
health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders 
entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or 
territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other 
emergencies);
     Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., 
truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United 
States and Canada);
     Individuals engaged in official government travel or 
diplomatic travel;
     Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and 
children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United 
States; and
     Individuals engaged in military-related travel or 
operations.
    The following travel does not fall within the definition of 
``essential travel'' for purposes of this Notification--
     Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., 
sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events).
    At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight 
rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada, but does 
apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat 
travel between the United States and Canada. These restrictions are 
temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on 
September 21, 2020. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior 
to that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific 
threat.
    The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is 
hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP 
personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set 
forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that 
other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic 
stability or social order, constitute ``essential travel'' under this 
Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized 
basis and for humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the 
national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United 
States not engaged in ``essential travel.''
    The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, having 
reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to 
electronically sign this document to Chad R. Mizelle, who is the Senior 
Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel for DHS, for 
purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

Chad R. Mizelle,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel, U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2020-18470 Filed 8-19-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9112-FP-P
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