BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) The initial excitement that cross border travel will resume next month in the Buffalo Niagara region was quickly tempered hours after the announcement.
"It comes with challenges," said Immigration law attorney Jamie Fiegel of Fiegel, Carr & Joyce.
"While there is no Covid testing requirement for Canadians going into the U.S., the challenge will be for Canadians returning home. Fiegel says because they are vaccinated, Canadians are eligible to return from the U.S. without having to undergo quarantine. But they will need to show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of returning to Canada."
That pretty much eliminates day trips according to Fiegel. "How are you going to get the results of the test and cross the border without paying exorbitant fees for a rapid test that is acceptable?"
Eliminating the testing requirement for Canadians would make things a lot easier. But Fiegel says there is no such discussion right now. But, she says, the Canadian government is known to make changes rapidly.
Another hurdle for Canadians crossing into the U.S., is whether or not they meet the requirement of being fully vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently doesn't recognize mixed COVID-19 vaccines and hasn't said if travelers with two different doses will be blocked from entry when the vaccine requirement kicks in.
"It was really common here in Canada for people to get mixed doses of vaccine. A lot of Canadians also received the Astra Zeneca vaccine which is not approved in the U.S. The question, now, is what vaccines will be allowed? And will mixed vaccines be recognized?" said Fiegel.
The findings of a National Institutes of Health study that found switching vaccine booster types is likely okay, will be presented to a group of the
F-D-A's outside advisors during a public hearing on Friday.
With all of these restrictions, will there be a big appetite to cross the border when the time comes? "I don't think so," said Fiegel. "It's going to deter a lot of people who are aware that they're going to have to test to return to Canada. There is a cost associated with it, so why go over for gas and groceries, especially when the test costs between $100 and $200 dollars.
The challenge on the Canadian side is finding a place with an acceptable rapid test. There are a lot of rapid tests that don't meet immigration requirements according to Fiegel. "Finding an acceptable test usually it comes with a price tag between $100 and $250 dollars."
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents have been allowed into Canada since August, along with proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
The vaccination rate in Canada is high. Eighty six percent of Canadians 12 and older have received at least one dose. Eighty one percent are fully vaccinated. It's due to mandates, according to Fiegel. "There are mandates for employers, restaurants and venues, even to drop my daughter off at soccer practice. Only one parent is allowed and we have to show our vaccination card just to drop her off. It's impacting every part of your life."
The U.S. land border is expected to open to Canadians for non-essential travel, in early November, for the first time since March, 2020.
