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Rolling back COVID restrictions

May 04, 2023
Stephen Maher
US and Canadian flags at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, US state of Washington.
US and Canadian flags at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, US state of Washington.
REUTERS/Jason Redmond

Unvaccinated Canadians will be able to travel freely to the US next week when the US lifts its vaccine requirement at the border. Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins, who represents Buffalo and Niagara Falls, cheered the news, noting that the restrictions had “kept families apart and impeded economic recovery.”

The decision is another step back to the world before March 2020, when the border was closed to try to slow the spread of COVID. Given that nearly 85% of Canadians and 90% of Canadian truckers are vaccinated, however, it’s unlikely to make a huge difference in cross-border travel or trade.

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