US-Canadian Border Reopening

Canadians are a crucial part of the Ellicottville Real Estate market. Anecdotally, Canadians make up around half of all Ellicottville sales in a normal year and a high percentage of skiers, chalet guests and partiers! Of course, normal years have been in short supply recently. The land border has been closed since shortly after Covid hit in March 2020.

Currently, the border status is being reviewed on the 21st of every month and the closure extended for 30 days. The current closure runs until October 21st. Meanwhile, in the other direction, fully vaccinated Americans have been allowed to enter Canada since August of this year. Additionally, Canadians have been allowed to enter the US by air for most of the pandemic.

This has led to understandable confusion and annoyance on both sides of the border and especially amongst border communities. To get from Toronto to Buffalo for example is just over an hour and a half drive. To fly to Buffalo takes around 5 hours plus all the extra time getting to the airport, waiting to board and then getting to wherever you want to go from Buffalo airport. Door to door, it’s probably 8 hours. So to take that route to Ellicottville, it’s a 9 hour trip compared to around two and a half hours by car.

The US government is now coming under pressure from its own politicians from both sides of the political divide. The Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, Jon Tester from Montana have voiced their opposition to the continued closure. So too has Angus King, the Independent Senator from Maine and Greg Gianforte, the Republican Governor of Montana.

Good News on the Horizon?

There’s nothing concrete, but maybe a few encouraging signs. While previous extensions of the border closure were for 30 days at a time, there has been some suggestion this time around that changes could be made before the next scheduled review date of October 21st. Additionally, fully vaccinated travellers from a host of other countries will be allowed in to the US starting in November. This may mark a general shift towards relaxing border regulations.

Another positive sign is that despite the 4th wave, the numbers of new Covid cases seems to be stabilising or even declining. Certainly, the decision to open the Canadian border to vaccinated Americans does not seem to have led to a surge in new Covid cases.

We will keep an eye on all the announcements and update you here in Blog 42. We hope to see you in Ellicottville soon!