Effects expected to be minimal for Point Roberts after Canada opens its borders to the U.S.
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Ruth Lauman
At long last, Canada will allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada for non-essential purposes beginning August 9. The U.S., which had earlier appeared willing to open its border as early as June 22, extended its closure order until at least August 21, 518 days since the border was first closed.
As usual, the announcement left many people scratching their heads wondering how it would affect them personally. Travelers entering Canada for non-essential travel will need to be fully vaccinated with one of Canada's approved vaccines, present a negative molecular Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival and have proof of vaccination uploaded to the ArriveCan app. They may or may not be asked to take another test at the border. They will also need to present a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine should they not satisfy all of the conditions required to be exempt.
What isn't clear is, how does this apply to U.S. residents who are merely seeking to enter Canada for a day trip? And, up to now, U.S. residents who lived on the mainland and wanted to transit Canada to come to Point Roberts were denied entry unless they satisfied a vague and seemingly subjective description of essential travel. Presumably, they will need to satisfy Canadian requirements for both legs of their travel to and from Point Roberts. Under these conditions, it will be unrealistic to expect a significant increase in visits to the Point by non-residents.
If they thought their workaround would be to take the ferry from Bellingham to the Point, another think is in order. To read more from this article, visit: https://www.thenorthernlight.com/stories/effects-expected-to-be-minimal-for-point-roberts-after-canada-opens-its-borders-to-the-us,17117
