The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce feels strict requirements for Canadians traveling to and from the US by land could keep some would-be travelers from visiting our neighbours to the south, and vice versa.
Executive director Helen Baron is hopeful that the lifting of a ban on non-essential land travel between the two countries will help local businesses boost their sales.
She also hopes the federal government will re-think its requirement that Canadians returning from the US via land border crossings present a recent negative COVID-19 test.
“We are hoping that they will be able to eliminate the requirement for a negative COVID test in the near future,” Baron says. “We do feel that the cost of the test and the time needed to take the test and have the results are cumbersome to both business travelers and leisure travelers.”
However, she is happy that more travelers will be allowed into the region and hopes an abundance of tourists can help local businesses.
“It’s great for reopening the tourism economy and the business travel,” says Baron. “I do feel it will be beneficial in that way.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also wants the the Trudeau government to drop the requirement, which chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam says is under review.
Locally, the Kingsgate border crossing south of Yahk has been open for essential travelers and Americans heading to Alaska through most of the pandemic.
– Helen Baron – Executive Director, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
Comments