Sorry to our Northern Paddling Friends

[Karen Volkman]

Just received this morning from the local Chamber of Commerce... I live close to the US side of the border.

"The North Country Chamber of Commerce is expressing regret at the announcement today that, starting December 21, returning Canadians who have come to the U.S. will once again need a negative PCR test even if they have visited for less than 72 hours. The edict also requires that the PCR test be administered in the U.S., barring an earlier practice of short term visitors having a test in Canada before departure.

 

"We have referred to U.S.-Canada border policy as a see saw in terms of each country progressing at different speeds," says Garry Douglas, Chamber President. "But now it's more like Charlie Brown and the football. Canada moves forward, particularly for short term visits. Then says they advise against travel but are making no test changes. Then two days later, we go back to where we were before November. What a way to run a border and to show understanding of the unique and special people-to-people bonds between Americans and Canadians. We obviously need to step back and restart the messaging we were engaged in several weeks ago."

 

Douglas notes a new wrinkle is that short term Canadian visitors to the North Country will now be required to have a negative PCR test done in the U.S. in order to return without quarantine mandates, unlike previously when a Canadian test was acceptable so long as it was no more than 72 hours old. "This will again strain our limited testing sites here for those Canadian friends who do come, for example to see family over the holidays."

 

"The over-arching failure after nineteen months remains the continued absence of U.S.-Canadian coordination," says Douglas. "We welcome the continuation of U.S. policy, allowing entry with full vaccination, which at least will continue to allow purposeful visits to see family, visit property and conduct business, as well as use Plattsburgh International Airport. We will begin strategizing with officials in partners in both countries immediately." "

[Paul Sylvester]

I would think fully vaccinated with a booster would count for something. Does it mention that anywhere?

  

 

[Brian Nystrom]

Considering that breakthrough infections with Omicron are becoming more common, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they don't consider vaccination and a booster to be enough.