The order, which was set to expire tonight, "has been extended until July 31 for public health reasons," Rebecca Purdy, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, said in a statement to CBC News.

The order — one of a set of extraordinary new measures introduced on March 16 to stop the spread of COVID-19 — bans most foreign nationals from entering Canada if they arrive from a foreign country other than the U.S. (There are limited exceptions for air crew, diplomats and immediate family members of citizens. Some seasonal workers, caregivers and international students are also exempt.).

The current Order in Council — a cabinet decision made without having to go to Parliament — was set to expire at 11:59 p.m.

The government intends to continue with the blanket ban of foreign nationals from entering Canada at this time, officials confirm, rather than modifying the order to reopen the border to certain countries — for example, those with low infection rates or those allowing Canadian tourists to visit.

Under this order, essential workers, such as truckers and health workers, are allowed to cross the border.

Tuesday's decision by Ottawa to continue the ban on foreign nationals from entering Canada comes as the European Union agrees to allow some tourists to enter the EU beginning tomorrow. Canada is among the 15 countries on the EU's so-called "safe" list. .

CBC News reported on Monday that the federal government also intends to extend strict quarantine rules requiring travellers to isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.

That separate order is also set to expire at 11:59 p.m.

If the Canada Border Services Agency suspects that a returning traveller is not going to comply with the rules, it can alert the Public Health Agency of Canada, which can then flag the RCMP's national operations centre.