BREAKING: Trudeau extends CERB 8 weeks, US border closure until July 21

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed media on Tuesday, providing updates on the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically announcing extensions to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. (CERB)

The extension will allow those who applied for the first round of CERB to continue to receive checks after the original 16-week eligibility period. Trudeau said that the extension will last 8 weeks.

"I want to be very clear with Canadians," said Trudeau. "Our goal is to make sure that the CERB is working for you in the best way possible. Our government will continue to be there for you, this pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for our country, and we're going to make sure that all of our supports, including the CEWS and employment insurance and working effectively to help Canadians get back on their feet," he continued.

CERB is penned to end entirely on October 2.

Trudeau had announced changes to the CERB on Monday, saying that the government was “working on a solution to extend the benefit for people who can’t return to work yet.”

Over one million Canadians have ended their CERB payments, having already gone back to work or returned to work via the Trudeau Liberals' wage subsidy program.

Canada-US border situation

Trudeau closed the morning with news regarding the border. Trudeau announced that Canada and the United States have extended the border closure, until July 21.

"The current measures in place along our border... This is an important decision that will keep people in both of our countries safe," said Trudeau.

Borders were penned to open at the end of June, though the reopening date has been pushed back several times.