St. Stephen Welcomes Loosened Border Restrictions

Canadians will be able to start seeing more of their friends and family from the United States in the coming weeks.

Fully vaccinated U.S. residents will be able to cross the border into Canada for non-essential travel starting Aug. 9.

Monday’s announcement is being welcomed by many in St. Stephen, which sits across the St. Croix River from Calais, Maine.

“It’s good to see that we’re moving forward. It’s been a long stretch,” Allan MacEachern, mayor of St. Stephen, said in a phone interview Tuesday.

It has been nearly 16 months since the Canada/U.S. border first closed to non-essential travel on March 21, 2020, due to rising COVID-19 cases.

MacEachern said the lengthy closure, which he never thought he would see, has impacted families on both sides of the border.

“We’ve always considered ourselves one community and we’re missing half of our community,” he said.

But the community will not become whole just yet. The changes only apply to U.S. citizens looking to cross into Canada.

For Canadians wanting to enter the United States, restrictions on non-essential travel will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

“We are continuing to review our travel restrictions. Any decisions about reopening travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts,” Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, told reporters Monday.

“We take this incredibly seriously but we look and are guided by own medical experts. I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention.”

Canadians are able to fly into the U.S. but must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test three days before their trip.

MacEachern said he would like to see the U.S. lift its restrictions on Canadian travellers at the border sooner rather than later.

“We may have family over there that can’t get over,” he said. “They’re maybe not able to make it across the border or leave their residence so they still won’t be able to see their families.”

The loosening of restrictions for travellers from the U.S. comes as dozens of states see an increase in COVID-19 cases, mainly due to the Delta variant.

MacEachern said there will also be an increased risk any time you expand the number of travellers.

“There’s always going to be a concern, but I think the concerns are going to be for a long time,” he said.