Senator Collins Calls Canada’s Decision to Drop COVID-19 Border Restrictions ‘Cause for Celebration’

Bangor, ME—U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued this statement following Canada’s announcement that it will lift all COVID-19 travel and border restrictions:

“The removal of all COVID-19 restrictions for travel to Canada is a cause for celebration for communities along the U.S.-Canada border,” said Senator Collins.  “This positive step forward will help to reunite tight-knit border towns, where families often have ties on both sides of the border and residents routinely cross to shop, visit their medical providers, attend church, and participate in local events.”

“As a native of Aroostook County, I repeatedly pushed to reopen the border—which finally reopened late last year—and I strongly advocated for both governments to adjust or reevaluate restrictions on travel,” Senator Collins continued.  “The U.S. should take reciprocal action to eliminate the remaining restrictions on travel to and from Canada, which were always intended to be temporary.”

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On November 8, 2021, Senator Collins released a statement heralding the official reopening of the U.S. and Canada land border to fully vaccinated Canadians. 

The reopening followed efforts Senator Collins led to adjust or reevaluate restrictions on non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border.  In October 2021, she joined a group of six Senators in calling on the Biden Administration to provide the medical justifications for continued U.S.-Canada land border restrictions.  In July 2021, she joined the rest of the Maine Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, urging the Administration to take steps to allow fully-vaccinated Canadians to cross the U.S.-Canada border for business or leisure given current health conditions.