BUFFALO (WBEN) - Canada is set to begin relaxing testing requirements for its own citizens to enter the country, but it could be a while before they begin allowing Americans in without a test.
On Wednesday, Congressman Brian Higgins told WBEN that the requirement for Canadian citizens to show a negative COVID test at the border upon returning from the U.S. after trips of less than 72 hours will be going away. However, Canadians who stay in the U.S. for longer than 72 hours will still be required to show a negative test, as will Americans.
"They're working out the details, first for Canadians upon their re-entry into Canada, then for Americans, then for everybody else," Higgins said.
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"I don't think we've gone far enough, but it's definitely a step in the right direction," said Niagara Falls, Ontario, Mayor Jim Diodati in reaction to the updated protocols. "The most important thing is we're going in the right direction, that we're on the right trajectory."
And while Diodati is grateful that reopening is moving forward instead of backwards at this point, he still expressed some frustration for what many feel is a drawn-out process.
"This is the longest time (the border) has ever been shut down, and even though now it's open, there are so many restrictions, it's not truly open," he continued. "I understand the idea of measure twice, cut once, but it seems on our side that we're measuring five times and thinking about cutting."
Niagara Falls, New York, Mayor Robert Restaino echoed much of the same frustration as Diodati.
Restaino admitted this additional step will be good for American retail and tourism, especially ahead of the holiday season, but he also noted his concern with the lack of consistency displayed in the border reopening process.
"I'm disappointed in a lot of aspects of it," he said. "I think at some point, we need to do a better job of synchronizing how we're handling these land border issues. Each country not having any type of consistency makes for difficult decision-making no matter what travel arrangements...On a personal level, I have family in Canada, and with the holiday coming, I would like nothing more than to be able to spend some time with them."
As for a timeline moving forward, Diodati doesn't expect a major change in the immediate future.
"It seems every four weeks (the Canadian government) revisits it, always the 21st of the month, and that where, in Canada, they either renew or let the regulations lapse," said Diodati. "The next one will be Boxing Day, so I don't anticipate there's going to be too much action. I'm guessing, realistically, it will probably come January, which is a very slow season for tourism, and I'm sure, based on what I've seen with our health officials playing a very slow and cautious approach, that will probably be the next time that they look at that."
