Whatcom businesses expect more Canadian customers

Businesses around Whatcom County wait in anticipation as eased pre-entry border requirements promise to lure back Canadian shoppers beginning next week.

Canadian officials last week announced plans to ease certain COVID-19 restrictions required to enter the country as a result of the declining omicron variant in Canada. The adjustments to the pre-entry requirements will take place starting Feb. 28, presumably making it easier for Canadians to return home after visiting Whatcom.

The Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University reported that in 2018 Canadians spent $140 million in the region, representing 11.4% of the county’s taxable retail sales.