Governor Scott hails reopening of Canadian border in November

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement regarding the reopening of the land border with Canada for non-essential, fully vaccinated travelers on November 8. Vermont's congressional delegation also commended the move by the president. The US border has been closed since March 2020 as the pandemic hit. On August 9, 2021, Canada began allowing fully vaccinated US visitors for non-essential travel.

Governor Scott: “Last night the White House informed me that, next month, fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to cross our land border once again. This is a significant step forward on the path from pandemic to endemic management of COVID-19 and will mean a great deal to many Vermonters and our communities.

“Vermont and Canada are not just neighbors, our communities are linked by family, friends, social and cultural connections, natural resources, commerce and more. Reopening the land border will allow our communities to reunite, after being separated for nearly two years.

“This decision by President Biden’s administration is based on the very clear fact that vaccines work. Americans know vaccines are our best tool for getting back to normalcy. And today’s announcement is another very positive step forward.”

Vermont's governor, like his colleagues across the northern US, had been frustrated for a year that the border had remained closed even as Canada had previously opened their side and the US allowed air travel between the two nations. Canada has a higher uptake of vaccine than the US overall (but not as high as Vermont).

Leahy, Sanders And Welch Commend The Biden Administration’s Move To Reopen The US-Canadian Border

In a joint statement, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said: “We welcome and commend the Biden Administration’s decision to safely reopen the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. Like so many communities along both borders, Vermont towns have close, longstanding ties with Canadian ones. It is good news that fully vaccinated family members and loved ones will now be able to reunify and businesses will once again be able to welcome Canadian visitors with ease. We know how much personal and financial hardship has been experienced on both sides of the border, and see the reopening as an important step in a long road to recovery.”

SEVEN DAYS: Canadian Visitors Will Be Admitted to the U.S. Starting in November

Source: Montpelier, Vt. – Governor. Congressional Delegation. 10.13.2021