BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – The latest reopening phase of the Canadian border is good news for many Americans who have been unable to visit properties in Canada and see loved ones, but not every element of the latest news is sitting well.
Canada's requirement of a negative COVID-19 test despite a vaccination has officials scratching their heads.
"All these are going to make it much harder for a lot of people to, in reality, go over the bridge," Congressman Chris Jacobs said shortly before the Canadian government updates its travel guidelines. "Certain people, great if they're willing to endure that…I think it's a little bit smoke and mirrors. They're saying it's open but it's not really open. They're saying its open but it's not until mid-August."
Similarly, Congressman Brian Higgins said before the updated guidelines that the testing requirement is "totally unnecessary".
"If you are fully vaccinated, you can return to pre-pandemic activity," Higgins, a democrat, said, citing the CDC. "No masking. No quarantine. No social distancing. That speaks to the power of the vaccine as medicine against this disease."
Starting August 9, vaccinated Americans will be allowed to travel into Canada. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test will be required 72 hours before visiting the border. Americans must upload proof of vaccination at least two weeks before travel through the Canadian app ArriveCan.
While Americans will be allowed to travel to Canada again, Canadians looking to visit America for non-essential travel is still prohibited.
"People that are passionate families that want to reunite, property owners that want to get to their cottages, and businesses that have been impacted by the border closure," Marcella Picone, whose longtime fiancé lives in Canada, said. "Unfortunately, though, it still appears Canada is not following the science because only vaccinated citizens of any country have no reason to be tested."
She said the testing requirement will only fuel the xenophobia from Canada towards America and its allies.
"It just doesn't make sense even the Europeans right now can't fly into the US," Picone said. "Canadians can't drive through the land border but the Canadians have been able to fly this entire time through the last 17 months of this pandemic. There's no answers."
Jacobs said President Biden has not shown leadership on the Canadian border issue.
"I've sent letter upon letter of what's going on, and not just me, bipartisan letters," Jacobs said. "We have heard nothing. This has not been a priority for the Biden administration. As a result, the Trudeau administration has been able to do what they want."
Asked in Washington if the U.S.
would reciprocate, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, "We are continuing to review our travel restrictions. Any decisions about resuming travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. ... I wouldn't look at it through a reciprocal intention."
