U.S. to open land borders to nonessential vaccinated travelers within weeks

Jonathon Wheeler, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read
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Oct. 13—WATERTOWN — Sen. Charles E. Schumer announced Tuesday night that he has received "direct confirmation" from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas that the United States plans to reopen the U.S.-Canadian border to nonessential vaccinated travelers by early November.

This is nearly two months after the Canadian government first opened its side of the border to vaccinated Americans.

"Kudos to President Biden for doing the right thing and increasing cross border travel between Canada and the U.S.," Sen. Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

Sen. Schumer has been calling for a reopening plan since May of this year, including during a July 6 appearance in Sackets Harbor. He has been citing northern border communities' economic, educational, property, medical, business and family ties to Canada.

Travel restrictions at the land border with Mexico will also be lifted.

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y, has repeatedly called on the Biden administration to reopen the border with both Mexico and Canada, particularly the northern border.

"Finally, the New York-Canadian border will be open again to vaccinated travelers from both nations," Sen. Gillibrand said in a statement. "This reopening will be welcome news to countless businesses, medical providers, families, and loved ones that depend on travel across the northern border."

Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul has also been calling for the reopening of the border, and is now applauding the federal government's move.

"I applaud our federal partners for reopening our borders to Canada, something I have called for since the beginning of the closure," the governor said in a statement. "Canada is not only our trade partner, but more importantly, Canadians are our neighbors and our friends. From Western New York to the North Country, I look forward to welcoming our Canadian neighbors back to New York as we continue to rebuild and recover from this pandemic."

The U.S.-Canadian Border has been closed to nonessential travelers since March 2020.