At the Riverside Marina Auto & Marine Repair shop in Chazy, N.Y., owner Scott Dunbar has been missing his Canadian customers. “We serve a lot of Canadians,” he said. “(I miss) just being able to see them and talk to them, because you make friends with them. Their boats are on the docks and our boats are on the docks.”He said the majority of the boats on his lot belong to Canadians, and some haven’t been out on the water in more than two years since the U.S.-Canadian border was closed during much of the pandemic.”It’s been hard. We filled the docks with a lot of the smaller boats because the Canadians couldn’t come down,” said Dunbar.This summer should be different since restrictions are set to be lifted further.Click here to see the full list of cross-border travel guidelines.Starting April 1, travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to cross the border.Officials said travelers should have proof of vaccination with them in addition to the ArriveCan app on their phones. Travelers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will still be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to cross into both Canada and the United States.Business leaders in the North Country said the loosened restrictions are a major step forward when it comes to boosting the regional economy.”It’s important (for Canadians to be able to more easily travel) and we believe people will be anxious to start reuniting again,” said Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce.”We’re happy to have (Canadian visitors). We want to make sure their stay is great,” said Kristy Kennedy, with the North Country Chamber of Commerce.The North Country Chamber of Commerce is launching a “Welcome Back” campaign. It’s an effort to encourage Canadians to visit the Adirondack Coast and partner with area businesses to hang up welcome signage to let Canadian tourists know they’ve been missed.”We’re very excited to see our friends from the north,” said Norm Lague, co-owner of Lakeside Coffee Roasters in Rouses Point, which has the North Country Chamber’s “Welcome Back” signage displayed throughout the cafe.Lague’s business is less than a mile from the U.S.-Canadian border. He said the business relies heavily on Canadian customers. He’s thrilled to see some of his regulars again. “I think we’re going to be in for quite a ride this summer,” he said.It’s the same situation back at the Riverside Marina Auto & Marine Repair shop.”It’ll be nice to have (my Canadian customers) back,” he said. He can’t wait to get the boats in his lot reunited with their owners and back out on the water just in time for summer.
At the Riverside Marina Auto & Marine Repair shop in Chazy, N.Y., owner Scott Dunbar has been missing his Canadian customers.
“We serve a lot of Canadians,” he said. “(I miss) just being able to see them and talk to them, because you make friends with them. Their boats are on the docks and our boats are on the docks.”
Advertisement
He said the majority of the boats on his lot belong to Canadians, and some haven’t been out on the water in more than two years since the U.S.-Canadian border was closed during much of the pandemic.
“It’s been hard. We filled the docks with a lot of the smaller boats because the Canadians couldn’t come down,” said Dunbar.
This summer should be different since restrictions are set to be lifted further.
Click here to see the full list of cross-border travel guidelines.
Starting April 1, travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to cross the border.
Officials said travelers should have proof of vaccination with them in addition to the ArriveCan app on their phones.
Travelers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will still be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to cross into both Canada and the United States.
Business leaders in the North Country said the loosened restrictions are a major step forward when it comes to boosting the regional economy.
“It’s important (for Canadians to be able to more easily travel) and we believe people will be anxious to start reuniting again,” said Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re happy to have (Canadian visitors). We want to make sure their stay is great,” said Kristy Kennedy, with the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is launching a “Welcome Back” campaign. It’s an effort to encourage Canadians to visit the Adirondack Coast and partner with area businesses to hang up welcome signage to let Canadian tourists know they’ve been missed.
“We’re very excited to see our friends from the north,” said Norm Lague, co-owner of Lakeside Coffee Roasters in Rouses Point, which has the North Country Chamber’s “Welcome Back” signage displayed throughout the cafe.
Lague’s business is less than a mile from the U.S.-Canadian border. He said the business relies heavily on Canadian customers. He’s thrilled to see some of his regulars again.
“I think we’re going to be in for quite a ride this summer,” he said.
It’s the same situation back at the Riverside Marina Auto & Marine Repair shop.
“It’ll be nice to have (my Canadian customers) back,” he said.
He can’t wait to get the boats in his lot reunited with their owners and back out on the water just in time for summer.
