An Upsurge in COVID-19 Cases – Due Largely to Delta Variant Spread Among Unvaccinated – Is Major Reason for Continued Border Closure, According to Reports
A Statement from Brian Higgins, U.S. Democratic Congressman for the Buffalo, New York Area
Posted August 20th, 2021 on Niagara At Large
A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large –
The Peace Bridge between Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. While American travellers are now allowed to cross the border to Canada, the U.S. government – a year and a half later – is still keeping the border closed to Canadians.
The U.S. Biden administration is expected to make it official today.
It will not be re-opening the border-crossings until at least September 21st to “non-essential” Canadian travellers due to rising cases of COVID-19 in both countries – this inspite of Canada’s Trudeau government’s decision to open the gates at border bridges to American travellers this past August 9th.
One can’t help but wonder to what extent the Trudeau government’s decision to open the border to Americans was based on science and health considerations – since rising cases due to the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant was occurring at the time – and to what it extent it had to do with pressure from border communities on the Canadian side to let Americans for tourism and business.
Could Trudeau have already had an election in mind when he made that decision?
This reporter finds it interesting that it is almost always the good Congressman from the Buffalo area – on the U.S. side of the border – who comments and posted news releases on the status of our shared border. We have federal MPPs on the Niagara, Ontario side of the border and we never seem to hear a word from them.
Now here is the Statement from the Congressman –
Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins On the Extension of Travel Restrictions at the U.S. – Canadian Border
Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins
The United States is extending restrictions<https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1428689217232723973> on travel at the Canadian border through September 21, 2021. Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) who serves as co-chair of both the Northern Border Caucus and the Canada – U.S. Interparliamentary Group released the following statement in response:
“The U.S. – Canadian relationship is integral for our economies and life-quality. The failure to make opening the border the priority that it should be is a huge mistake. There has not been enough attention placed on the value and opportunity that comes with restoring connections between our two nations. It is beyond disappointing; it is hurtful both at a human and economic level.”
Travel restrictions at land ports of entry between the United States and Canada were first implemented in March 2020. On August 9, 2021, Canada reopened the border to allow vaccinated Americans to enter. The United States has not reciprocated to allow Canadians to cross the border into the U.S.
To read a recent CBC report on this issue, click on – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/us-border-canada-closed-1.6147189
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