US to open border to vaccinated Canadians next month

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WGRZ/WHEC) — The U.S. is opening its northern border in early November to vaccinated Canadians after 19 months.

Canada opened its border to vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9, but the U.S. did not reciprocate immediately.

The northern border was first closed to non-essential travel back in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congressman Brian Higgins’s (D, NY-26) office confirmed the change to our Buffalo affiliate, WGRZ.

Higgins’s office didn’t provide a specific date for the border to reopen but is recommending the reopening take place as early as Nov. 1.

"I think this border should have been opened five months ago because the same criteria applies today as it did then," Higgins said. "If you’re vaccinated, you have strong immunity from getting or giving COVID if you want to take additional precautions, wear a mask. Just do the right thing, it’s not ideological, it’s common sensical."

Tuesday night, Gov. Kathy Hochul released the following statement on the reopening:

"I applaud our federal partners for reopening our borders to Canada, something I have called for since the beginning of the closure. Canada is not only our trade partner, but more importantly, Canadians are our neighbors and our friends. From Western New York to the North Country, I look forward to welcoming our Canadian neighbors back to New York as we continue to rebuild and recover from this pandemic."