US toward reopening, June 22 may reopen border with Canada
With half of the U.S. and Canadian population vaccinated, political pressure on central governments is becoming increasingly [...]
With half the U.S. and Canadian population vaccinated, political pressure on central governments is mounting. Provinces, territories and federal states are pushing To reopen the borders between the two countries. So far, both the U.S. and Canada have resisted every request fearing a new increase in infections. The White House has officially denied any possibility of an immediate opening, but local politicians hope to find an immediate solution.
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June 22 date pops up for reopening the U.S.-Canada border
Just a few days ago, the U.S. government reiterated that it had not yet made any decisions on when and how to reopen the border with the Canada, a necessary response considering that reports compiled at this time suggest reopening. There is, however, a glimmer of hope coming from Point Roberts, in Washington state. The border community has been hard hit by the restrictions, but anonymous customs sources confirmed that closure could end by June 22. Officials in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office did not explicitly confirm or deny these rumors, emphasizing instead the need that it would be necessary to vaccinate Canadians' 75% before the restrictions could be lifted.
Trudeau sets quota, but lawmakers push to reopen
"Conversations are ongoing constantly with the administration of the United States. There is a lot of desire to get back to normal on all sides," Trudeau said making it clear that in any case the issue is on the table and a viable solution is being sought. "Increasing the number of vaccinations. over 75% across the country will allow a safer reopening for us and all other states" he went on to highlight. Local polls point out that Canadians are less eager to ease restrictions, considering the many infections that hit the United States throughout the 2020s. The vaccine campaign, however, has made some lawmakers in the US impatient. Canada has also surpassed the very United States in the number of people who have received at least one dose. About 40% of Americans are fully vaccinated, though, compared to less than 5% of Canadians.
"I think it's time to develop a plan," Vermont Governor Phil Scott said Thursday during a panel discussion hosted by the Conseil du patronat du Quebec. Not least because the skepticism of part of the population about the vaccine makes it difficult to reach the 75% of vaccinees required by the Canadian prime minister in a short time. Therefore, residents and business owners are pushing to reopen led by neighboring communities across the border who often have many family ties and friends in the United States.
Alternatives used by U.S. and Canadian
Canadians have always been able to reach the United States, even when land borders were closed. This irritated many lawmakers who then introduced a lengthy quarantine to travelers. An obligation that did not affect those crossing the border by land. One of the loopholes used by Canadians was precisely to fly to the United States and on return cross the border by land by having a friend or relative pick them up there.
Similarly, U.S. citizens were able to cross the Canada by car arriving in Alaska without receiving controls. Should the borders reopen on June 22, more than a year will have passed since the closures, which nonetheless had numerous exceptions throughout the period. What does suggest a reopening, however, is the frustration of people who feel the caution on the part of central governments is excessive.
