Border Progress Looking Encouraging for November

The North Country Chamber of Commerce is welcoming indications that the U.S. will begin to allow vaccinated Canadians to drive across the northern land border on November 1st. That has been the date for beginning entry by international air travelers from Europe and elsewhere with proof of vaccination, leading to strong calls from the Chamber and others to include the Canadian land border.

“After more than eighteen months of unprecedented separation and frustration, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel,” says Garry Douglas, Chamber President. “There are important details to be clarified by Homeland Security and by the CDC, but policy making is in play at last. After more than eighteen months of unprecedented separation in a vacuum of planning, we may finally be seeing light at the end of a long tunnel. The network of partners that has grown up around this challenge in both countries has been incredible and will be of lasting value. And we must thank our federal and state partners who have been determined all along the way and will continue to engage as this process continues, including Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and the Northern Border Caucus in Congress, Assemblyman Billy Jones and Senator Dan Stec, among other active advocates.”

“We cannot replace two lost summers or the long impact on families and business, but if this goes forward as indicated, we can share Christmas and welcome our Canadian travelers at Plattsburgh International Airport in time for the upcoming winter travel season,” notes Douglas. “Most importantly, we will be able to at least start the long process of reconnecting.”

The Chamber is continuing to follow final elements of the emerging plan and will continue to advocate for reasonable standards and then for planning for subsequent phases of border normalization.