WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King after the Biden administration announced they would allow fully vaccinated Canadians to cross the U.S. – Canada border via car and ferry starting in early November. Senator King has repeatedly pushed the Biden administration for this change – citing the economic and emotional difficulties the closure has inflicted on Maine communities.

“It’s good to see the White House creating a consistency in travel policy, allowing vaccinated Canadians to drive across the northern border weeks after as we began allowing vaccinated Europeans to visit the U.S. via air,” said Senator King. “Bottom line: this action by the White House will reconnect friends and families, and help stabilize local economies that rely on cross-border neighbors for business — a welcome action, especially as the holiday season approaches.”

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

Senator King has repeatedly advocated for vaccinated Canadians to be able to enter the United States and support Maine businesses. Last month, he wrote a letter to urging President Biden to open the border, and highlighted the difficulties the closure was inflicting on Maine. The Senator also joined a group of his colleagues in a letter asking President Biden to open the border to vaccinated Canadians by October, and in July, he joined with Maine’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, urging the Biden Administration to take steps to allow fully-vaccinated Canadians to cross the border for business or leisure.