U.S. border cities like Grand Forks await crossing reopening as air travel rules loosen
New rules around who can fly into the United States are being cheered by some, but it's still not enough for many smaller border towns.
On Monday morning, the White House announced foreign nationals will be able to fly into the country this fall if they have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test.
However, the changes set to take effect in November fall short for places like Grand Forks, ND.
"Unfortunately, we rely on that vehicle traffic from across the border at the Canada crossing primarily. That is what we are really working towards getting open. It would have a much, much larger impact on a destination like Grand Forks," said Barry Wilfahrt, president and CEO of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Wilfahrt said the Grand Forks economy has missed Canadian tourism.
"We appreciate the shopping they do and the special events they attend," he said, "A lot of our Canadian friends like to use the low-cost air services like Allegiant Air to get some good prices on flying to destinations in the United States."
Grand Forks has not had any Canadians for concerts like the recent Luke Combs concert or the upcoming Eric Church show.
"These are probably two of the biggest country stars on the circuit right now," said Wilfahrt. "They are both in Grand Forks, and unfortunately, our friends in Winnipeg haven't been about to make the trip since we hosted KISS way back in February of 2020."
Wilfahrt said with the border being closed for so long, Grand Forks has had to find alternatives to fill in the gaps.
"We've now kind of reached that point where we moved to plan B. Previously that Canadian piece made a bigger piece of the market, but since it's critical to make things work, we like everyone else kind of adjusted."
NO CLEAR END
On Friday, four border state U.S. senators asked President Joe Biden to lift the travel restrictions.
Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Jon Tester of Montana, and independent Angus King of Maine asked Biden to allow Canadians vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel to the United States before October.
In an open letter, the senators said the restrictions have led to "economic and emotional strain in our communities."
The senators added: "A plan with some indication of when your administration would feel comfortable lifting border restrictions based on public health data would provide clarity to businesses and families along the northern border."
They also noted that Canadians can fly to the United States.
"We struggle to understand the public health rationale for the disparate treatment in modes of travel," the senators wrote.
Despite the campaigning, White House officials extended the closure on Monday for another 30 days until Oct. 21.
With another recent extension and a future unclear, border cities are left waiting for any change.
"It would certainly be a boon to our economy to get the folks in Winnipeg coming across the border again and vice versa," said Wilfahrt.
"We rely so much on our Canadian trade here in Grand Forks for our business community, and we are just eagerly awaiting that reopening of the border so our Canadian friends can come down."
-With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.