OSWEGO – While our Canadian and Mexican neighbors have not been allowed entry into the United States due to COVID-19 concerns for over a year, news from Washington is that this is about to change .
In an announcement on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said, following advice from public health experts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will change regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 – and have the proper papers – to enter the United States by land and ports of entry by ferry.
The reopening of the border effectively ends a 19-month closure of the US-Canada border. Mayorkas said this week he was “happy to take steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner” and praised the economic benefits. Local officials also called the opening of the border good news because of the economic boost it could bring to New York City.
The opening is scheduled for early November, about two months after Canadian authorities opened their borders to American tourists with proof of vaccination.
Unlike air travel, for which verification of a negative COVID-19 test is required before boarding a flight to the United States, no testing will be required to enter the United States by land or sea. , provided that travelers meet the vaccination requirements.
According to a US News report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will accept travelers who have been fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), not just those in use. in the United States, which means that the AstraZeneca vaccine, widely used in Canada, will be accepted.
State Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay R-Pulaski said he was pleased with the news and said he was happy the economy was getting the much-needed help .
“The opening of the border is long-awaited good news for businesses in the North Country and parts of upstate New York,” said Barclay. “The COVID restrictions and the border closure have shrunk the consumer base and impacted the bottom line of countless businesses. I am glad that cross-border travel can resume and that local economies can get a much needed boost that will help their recovery. “
News of the border opening comes at a time when tourists are typically flocking to central New York City and Oswego County for the region’s world-class fishing.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, praised the Biden administration’s decision to allow fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico to travel to the United States on non-essential travel through all ports of entry, according to a press release issued by his office.
“Finally, the border between New York and Canada will once again be open to vaccinated travelers from both countries,” said Gillibrand. “The northern border is an indispensable economic partnership and links our two nations and I have repeatedly urged the Biden administration to adopt the common sense policy now that 78 percent of Canadians over 12 are vaccinated. This reopening will be good news for countless businesses, healthcare providers, families and loved ones who depend on travel across the northern border. “
As of March 2020, travel along the US-Canada border has been severely limited by the pandemic, causing significant disruption to communities, businesses and families in New York City, according to Gillibrand’s office, which noted that the lack of Canadian companies cost the US economy $ 1.5 billion. each month.
US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer has said reopening the US border will be the boost the economy of upstate New York needs.
“; “The high vaccination rates on either side of the border have opened the door to safe cross-border travel and will now safely increase the rebirth of economic energy in upstate New York.”
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