Cross border traffic is a huge component of the Western New York economy, and political and business leaders watch the span with continued optimism that the date will come that the International border will reopen.  But it apparently won't be anytime soon.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the border closure for non-essential travel between the United States and Canada has been extended through at least May 21.

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The CBP website reads:

“On March 21, 2020, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada temporarily restricted non-essential travel across the US-Canada land borders. These restrictions will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2021. We are maintaining cross-border activities with Canada and Mexico that support health security, trade, commerce, supply security, and other essential activities while taking critical steps to protect our citizens and to curb spread of the virus.“

Congressman Brian Higgins has stated that he wants to see the border between the U.S. and Canada fully reopened by Independence Day.

The congressman, shared his sentiments in a letter to President Joe Biden late last month.  Higgins in the letter said...

“Our nation’s vaccine distribution is increasing, testing capacity has grown, and with continued observance of social distancing precautions and good hygiene measures, we can crush the virus and manage the impact of any variants,” Higgins wrote. “The passage of the American Rescue Plan will embolden these efforts.”

Higgins' goal was a partial reopening by Memorial Day and a full reopening by July 4.

“Even though my district in Western New York sits just across the Niagara River to the Canadian
province of Ontario, the distance to Canada is now further than it has ever been in my lifetime,” Higgins wrote.

According to a report by CTV News,

“a top official with the Prime Minister’s Office” spoke with the Canadian broadcaster, and said “we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re not there yet.”

 

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