TORONTO — The reopening of the Canada – U.S. border, scheduled for June 21, will almost certainly be delayed again, according to sources.

According to wire service Reuters and various consumer news outlets, the border will remain closed possibly until the end of July.

The border first shut down for non-essential travel between March 20 and March 21. and the closure was extended in April and again in May.

Last month major players in Canada’s tourism and travel sectors announced the formation of a new coalition to restore the industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called the Canadian Tourism Roundtable, the cross-Canadian coalition is calling on all levels of government to work together to streamline and clarify rules around travel in order to ensure safe, accessible and timely travel for Canadians as early as this summer.

The Roundtable comprises leaders from various sectors, including airports, airlines, hotels, chambers of commerce and others.

The focus lately has been on losses to the Canadian tourism sector from inbound travel, which have been considerable. Sectors of the Canadian travel industry focused on outbound travel, including travel agents, have been decimated as well.