Canada border opens after 505 days

Blaine residents are packing their bags now that the Canada border is open to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers.

On day 505 of the U.S./Canada border being closed, the ‘gates that may never be closed’ opened at 9 p.m. August 8 for U.S. travelers seeking anything from reuniting with family to recreational tourism. Although significant delays weren’t reported at Blaine’s border crossings, cars were lined up in front of the Peace Arch border crossing – a once-common sight that had been unseen for nearly a year and a half.

Blaine resident Carol Miller is preparing to take a day-trip to visit her mom in Tsawwassen Friday, August 13. This will be the first time Miller has seen her mom since February 2019.

“We had planned to get together for her 85th birthday in mid-March but when Covid was taking hold we decided we shouldn’t take the chance. It was shortly after that they closed the border,” she said. “I can’t even express how I feel about finally being able to visit her. Emotional, worried, excited, relieved.”

Miller said her mother contracted Covid-19 and was in critical condition for two weeks, but she was unable to see her in the hospital during that time. She typically visits her mom every few weeks but doesn’t plan on visiting as often with the current border requirements.

The U.S. and Canada jointly decided to close their borders to non-essential traffic in March 2020 as a way to combat the spread of Covid-19. The U.S. has yet to reciprocate Canada’s relaxation of the border closure. By press time, Canadian and other travelers will not be allowed to enter the U.S. via land port of entries before August 21 at least.

After months of pushing from lawmakers to get a special exemption for Point Roberts, residents of the U.S. exclave also got new rules August 8. Habitual residents, regardless of vaccination status, can now enter Canada “to carry out everyday functions and access goods and services” as long as they stay within those communities, according to an August 5 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announcement.

However, this rule change offers no respite to beleaguered businesses in Point Roberts as Canadians are still banned from entering the U.S. by land.

Other than Point Roberts residents, travelers will need proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival and abide by other entry restrictions, including entering all information in the ArriveCAN app and creating a quarantine plan.

Blaine resident Marta Kazymyra said there was a lot of confusion about what she needed in order to cross the border to visit her 98-year-old mother. “There are so many innuendos and things changing day-to-day,” she said, frustrated by the new system.

U.S. travelers entering Canada by boat must announce their arrival intentions using ArriveCAN, unless the boat doesn’t dock, according to the CBSA release.

Miller is finding a balance being Covid-safe with the Delta variant, but also being able to make up for lost time with her mom.

“I absolutely understand the need to close the border and I also understand some Canadians are not happy we are able to visit,” Miller said. “But there is a huge emotional toll it takes when you have this physical barrier between you and your family and after more than 17 months I need to see my mom.”