Testing requirements for short-term Canadian visitors to be lifted

PLATTSBURGH | Local leaders are welcoming reports that Canada will soon change COVID-19 testing requirements for returning Canadian travelers-making it easier for short-term travel to the North Country and beyond. The North Country Chamber of Commerce, which has staunchly advocated for the change, quickly welcomed the Nov. 17 reports that Canada is finalizing a planned announcement of a change in its requirement that returning Canadians must have had a negative PCR test within 72 hours to cross back into Canada. "We understand there will be a phased approach, starting with the elimination of a test requirement for vaccinated Canadians who have been in the U.S. less than 72 hours," said Garry Douglas, Chamber President. "While not initially including vaccinated Americans, we are extremely pleased that our Canadian friends, neighbors and partners will soon be spared the costly test requirement when making casual visits for a day or a few days to recreate, shop, visit family and friends or conduct business, moving back toward normalcy. And in time for the holidays!" Douglas said "We are awaiting more details, such as the start date for this change, and will then seek the earliest possible implementation of further steps until Canada and the U.S. are back to the same requirements in both directions." "But we thank the Canadian Government for listening and taking action sooner than we thought might happen. And we thank all of our partners in advocacy including the FCCQ and other business organizations in Canada, and all of our federal and state representatives who have been determined and have been heard." The Chamber applauded the work and advocacy of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Assemblyman Billy Jones and Sen. Dan Stec, among others. Stefanik spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to Washington earlier in the day regarding the need for the earliest possible implementation of the phases, and he is in New York City for activities with the Canadian Consulate General. "Nothing is more important to the North Country economy than its economic interactions with Canada of all kinds at all levels, and so our advocacy efforts regarding the border have been non-stop and will continue to be so, even as we celebrate this very positive next step," Douglas said. Assemblyman Jones also quickly applauded the news, saying "For weeks I have been calling for the requirements for the land border crossing to be the same for both sides of the border, and the recent news that the Canadian government is expected to lift the COVID-19 testing requirements for Canadians who spend less than 72 hours in the United States is welcomed." "The burdensome testing requirement has prevented day trippers and short-term visitors from coming to the North Country, and our regional economies have suffered long enough due to the border closure and it is past time that these requirements were adjusted. I will continue advocating for lifting the requirements for Americans." Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael S. Cashman said "I have been calling for parity in our border crossing policies from the beginning of this global pandemic. The lifting of testing requirements for short-term visits to the United States from Canada Government is welcome news. The fact is border communities in both the United States and Canada benefit from short-term visitors: socially, culturally and economically. We still have some steps to go but this is another step in the right direction." Word of the developing announcement came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with a dozen U.S. lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik. Following the meeting, Stefanik said "Residents of the North Country have suffered enough due to the Northern Border's prolonged closure. Now that our border communities have reached the long-awaited return to Northern Border travel, I am working to avoid any confusion and remove any additional burdens to this process. I am proud to work with our Canadian partners on behalf of residents of the North Country to ensure reopening goes as smoothly as possible." Stefanik has also advocated for the removal of testing requirements for returning short-term Canadian visitors and spoke with the Prime Minister about the Northern Border and its deep North Country ties. Sen. Dan Stec called the lifting of the border crossing COVID-19 test mandate "good news". "News that Canada will be lifting its testing requirement for quick trips across the border is another encouraging step forward." "The requirement of producing a negative PCR test for Canadians who have been in the U.S. less than 72 hours is a real inconvenience and significant expense that deters the kind of social and economic activities which benefit families, friends and businesses on both sides of the border. This announcement expected to be official on Friday is an encouraging sign as we continue pushing for more progress."

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Testing requirements for short-term Canadian visitors to be lifted

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