Canadians are driving into the U.S. once again as travel restrictions lifted on Monday, and travelers waited hours in line to be among the first to cross. “We’re going to see our daughter. It was the last two years we didn’t see her. And our granddaughter,” one Canadian traveler told CTV at the St. Bernard de Lacolle border crossing going into Champlain, New York. Richard Bouthillier and Jean Heon are two friends who are making the trip south to Florida for the first time together and took a rest stop at Plattsburgh’s Consumer Square. “I think everybody was happy to go south,” Bouthillier said. “There was only two gates open, so it took me 6 hours and 7 minutes to wait for the border,” Heon said. Michele Rouleau, of Saint Sauveur, Quebec, has been visiting Plattsburgh for decades. He is making a stop back in the North Country for the first time in almost two years on his way south with his dog, Elliot. “It took an hour and 32 minutes to cross the border. That’s all. I thought it was OK. Not more than a regular Fourth of July, or Canada Day, first of July. That’s about it,” he said. The crossing was a much quieter scene later in the day, showing no delay as of 4 p.m. Monday. Canadians are required to show proof of vaccination to cross and are required to take a COVID-19 test before heading back into Canada. “It is worthwhile. For a weekend, well that would be a no-no,” Rouleau said. The North Country Chamber of Commerce said the testing requirement will put a hold-up on day and weekend trips, and it would be costly to Canadians. “Really, right now, while the border is open, the chamber’s real initiative is to continue to talk to our counterparts in Canada. How do we loosen this restriction? How can we make this go away? What are the steps we need to take?” said Kristy Kennedy, vice president of marketing and business development at the chamber.The chamber believes the most immediate impacts will be for business travelers, snowbirds and families who are reuniting. The hospitality and tourism businesses, who have long awaited a border reopening, will especially welcome their arrival. “I can’t tell you how much this border opening affects every facet of our economy,” she said. The chamber is also encouraging businesses to give a warm welcome by posting signage, to let Canadians know they have missed them.
Canadians are driving into the U.S. once again as travel restrictions lifted on Monday, and travelers waited hours in line to be among the first to cross.
“We’re going to see our daughter. It was the last two years we didn’t see her. And our granddaughter,” one Canadian traveler told CTV at the St. Bernard de Lacolle border crossing going into Champlain, New York.
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Richard Bouthillier and Jean Heon are two friends who are making the trip south to Florida for the first time together and took a rest stop at Plattsburgh’s Consumer Square.
“I think everybody was happy to go south,” Bouthillier said.
“There was only two gates open, so it took me 6 hours and 7 minutes to wait for the border,” Heon said.
Michele Rouleau, of Saint Sauveur, Quebec, has been visiting Plattsburgh for decades. He is making a stop back in the North Country for the first time in almost two years on his way south with his dog, Elliot.
“It took an hour and 32 minutes to cross the border. That’s all. I thought it was OK. Not more than a regular Fourth of July, or Canada Day, first of July. That’s about it,” he said.
The crossing was a much quieter scene later in the day, showing no delay as of 4 p.m. Monday.
Canadians are required to show proof of vaccination to cross and are required to take a COVID-19 test before heading back into Canada.
“It is worthwhile. For a weekend, well that would be a no-no,” Rouleau said.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce said the testing requirement will put a hold-up on day and weekend trips, and it would be costly to Canadians.
“Really, right now, while the border is open, the chamber’s real initiative is to continue to talk to our counterparts in Canada. How do we loosen this restriction? How can we make this go away? What are the steps we need to take?” said Kristy Kennedy, vice president of marketing and business development at the chamber.
The chamber believes the most immediate impacts will be for business travelers, snowbirds and families who are reuniting. The hospitality and tourism businesses, who have long awaited a border reopening, will especially welcome their arrival.
“I can’t tell you how much this border opening affects every facet of our economy,” she said.
The chamber is also encouraging businesses to give a warm welcome by posting signage, to let Canadians know they have missed them.
