Canada opts not to reimpose non-essential travel restrictions

PLATTSBURGH | As Canadian officials considered reinstating travel restrictions and potentially even another border closure, officials have decided not to change current requirements but have issued a travel advisory urging Canadians not to travel internationally. Following day-long discussions Dec. 14, as local lawmakers and business leaders feared a return to pre-November restrictions on non-essential travel, Canada announced it will not change the current guidelines for leisure travel though Canadians are being urged to avoid international travel in the next four weeks. North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas was relieved by the afternoon news and said "While the Canadian Government has been actively considering possible new restrictions on international travel, we are pleased that for the time being at least, they have decided to advise Canadians not to travel internationally but are not changing current requirements at the land border. Our Canadian friends may still visit for up to 72 hours without a test, and Americans can still visit Canada with use of the ArriveCan app and a PCR test. We welcome this restraint." Douglas said communications were intense throughout the day as the Canadian government was determining what actions it might take or not take. "We thank our friends and partners on both sides of the border for their continued engagement and advocacy," says Douglas. Ahead of the decision, North Country Sen. Dan Stec said "Keeping the northern border open to all is important for our economy and to many families on both sides of the border. While challenges remain in the battle against COVID-19, tremendous progress has been made against it. It was just last month the border reopened for travel coming into the U.S. and that was after many months of frustration with a Biden administration that repeatedly failed to offer a plan based on any sort of metrics. Talks of again limiting travel between the U.S. and Canada in either direction would be a big step backwards." Assemblyman Billy Jones had called the possibility of new border requirements troubling. "The border just reopened in November and it is troubling that there is already discussion about implementing new border restrictions to close it again. This is a slap in the face to everyone in the North Country," Jones said. "The North Country cannot afford another border closure, especially local businesses that depend on Canadian customers. After almost two years, people were just finally able to cross the border to see their loved ones and it is heartbreaking that they might be restricted from crossing the border once again. It is possible to keep the border open in a safe manner, and I will continue to advocate for the border to stay open." Douglas said current plans by both governments to require vaccination for essential border travelers, such as truck drivers and emergency personnel, remains a concern as both governments eye a January change to the current exemption guidelines.

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Canada opts not to reimpose non-essential travel restrictions

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