Shaheen Welcomes Announcement that U.S.-Canada Border Will Open to Vaccinated Individuals Next Month

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded news that the U.S. plans to open non-essential travel to vaccinated individuals at the Canadian and Mexican borders starting in early November. Senator Shaheen has spearheaded efforts to reopen the border to vaccinated Canadians, including through a letter last month to President Biden and several virtual meetings and roundtables.

“I’m thrilled the U.S.-Canada border will finally re-open to vaccinated Canadians. For months, I’ve met with New Hampshire stakeholders to discuss the harm caused by the closure of the U.S.-Canada border, and I’m so pleased that our advocacy has led to this critical first step to resume normal operations at the border,” said Shaheen. “This is a win for families who’ve been separated and businesses and tourism industries whose operations have been blocked since the start of the pandemic. This is a common-sense, long overdue decision I’ve pushed for since the summer, and I’m eager to work with the Biden administration to ensure the border’s opening comes as swiftly and safely as possible.”

Since March 2020, travel across the two nations’ border has been severely restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant disruptions to New Hampshire communities, businesses and families. In light of progress in COVID-19 vaccinations in both countries, Canada opened its border to vaccinated Americans in August.

Senator Shaheen has been a vocal advocate for safely and fully reopening the U.S.-Canada border. Last month, Shaheen led a letter to President Biden urging his administration to allow vaccinated Canadians to travel to the U.S. through land ports of entry. In August, Shaheen hosted a virtual meeting with the delegation and representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Canadian Consul General in Boston and numerous Granite State industry representatives, on re-opening the U.S.-Canada border to vaccinated Canadians. That roundtable followed an event Shaheen hosted in July with New Hampshire stakeholders and Canadian Consul General Rodger Cuzner on how the border closure has affected border communities and Granite State businesses and residents. In June, Shaheen questioned Secretary of State Tony Blinken on the status of efforts to reopen the two nations’ border.

###