Border restrictions extension means a tough month for some Alberta businesses
Some Alberta businesses say they're feeling left behind following an announcement that travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will remain in place for at least another month.
The federal government said Friday the restrictions on non-essential international travel will be kept in place until July 21.
In Calgary, one travel agent said it was a hard thing to hear.
"People are just wanting to know when can we travel or when can we plan that vacation," Travel Time owner Terri Jo Lennox said. "They just want some guidance on that."
Lennox told CTV News she understands the reasoning behind the extension, but was hoping for more information from the government.
"The most unsettling piece of it for both us in the industry and consumers in general is all of the uncertainty, and the lack of information or a plan," she said.
The measures at land crossings have been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
The pressure to relax the restrictions has been building from businesses on both sides of the border in recent months.
Alberta's southern-most village has been struggling with the change.
"It continues to hurt our small businesses that depend on traffic going through," Coutts deputy mayor Scott MacCumber said.
It'll also impact summer travellers and the province's tourism industry.
The premier said he'd like to see some exceptions made to help some industries.
"I think most premiers believe that we can, at some point in July, begin receiving folks who have been double dosed," Jason Kenney said Friday.
The federal government is expected to provide details on Monday about plans to let fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents enter the country.
Specific details are currently unknown.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously said that it would take 75 per cent of Canadians getting vaccinated before restrictions at the border could be lifted.
Right now, more than 65 per cent of Canada’s total population has had their first dose and almost 17 per cent are fully vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report says explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan. State television acknowledged 'loud noise.'
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.