BUFFALO (WBEN) - Those who were hoping for some grand reopening plan that would allow vaccinated people to finally be able to cross the border into Canada were sorely disappointed Wednesday when the Canadian government outlined how they're going to move forward.
Canada's health minister, Patty Hajdu, said that phase one of the reopening will happen in early July, but that would only allow fully vaccinated Canadian citizens to be exempt from a two-week quarantine when returning to the country as long as they test negative for COVID twice on top of their vaccination.
Those who are already approved to cross the border would need to present a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, and then upon arrival will be required to take another COVID test and quarantine until that test comes back negative.
Congressman Brian Higgins called the announcement a terrible disservice to Americans and Canadians alike.
"It lacked in substance and it lacked in vision as to what the plan is on the Canadian side relative to the reopening of the US/Canadian border," Higgins said in an interview with WBEN Thursday morning. "It's disappointing - too much conflicting information..."
Immigration Attorney Jamie Fiegel also joined WBEN Thursday morning, and while people are frustrated with what appears to be a slow loosening of restrictions, she noted that this step was critical nonetheless.
"As we've talked about the quarantine act and the border restrictions over the past year-and-a-half, I've always said we need to dial back the quarantine act before we can change the border restrictions, so this is the first step in doing that," said Fiegel. "Dialing back and making more exceptions to the quarantine, that leads them down the path to rescind the act."
Regardless, Higgins remains unimpressed, saying the US and Canada should be on the same page regarding border restrictions.
"Canada and the United States needs to speak with one voice about a goal to open up the border," said Higgins. "I had it confirmed from the White House last night that the issue of the border is going to be brought up today or tomorrow between President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau."
