Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - It's been a year. One long year.
And U.S. citizens who own property in Canada see few signs for hope they'll be able to return to Canada anytime soon.
Sunday will mark one year since the US/Canadian border was closed because of coronavirus. This has been a frustrating time for those who own property and who visit loved ones across the border.
Attorney Rosanna Berardi says it's affected both US and Canadian citizens. "There are so many Americans who have property north of the border they've been unable to enjoy and attend to. If you see the parking lots at Galleria and airport, they're empty, and those cars missing are from our Canadian friends," says Berardi.
Berardi believes the tide is starting the turn, with the US closing in on 100 million vaccinations and reports the US will send Canada 1.5 million doses. "It will be largely dependent on how quickly Canada can get up to speed on vaccinating their citizens, and once we see a good percentage of them getting the vaccine, there will be some movement at the border," says Berardi. She notes Canada hopes to vaccinate everyone by June.
UB's Dr. Tom Russo says Canada is among those lagging behind in vaccinations. "I think Canada is similar to Europe in relying on getting their vaccines from elsewhere, that's in large part why they're struggling so much," says Russo.
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Berardi says the closures have taken a toll on relationships. "Canadians were supposed to marry their American counterparts with wedding plans in the US or vice versa, and they haven't been able to be together. It's changed some relationships, it's canceled weddings," says Berardi. "We've just seen such a great divide when it comes to personal relationships and the inability to even come across the border promising to quarantine with a negative test. That's just not an option."
If and when the border reopens, don't expect it to be like a flip of the switch says Berardi. "We'll see some staged entry such as for property owners and family members," predicts Berardi.
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