Thought of the Day - June 4 - Border Restrictions
- Cliff Fraser
- Jun 4, 2020
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 15, 2021
Data from Ontario, Quebec and Alberta shows that the largest source of traveller-cases that kicked off the pandemic in Canada were from people returning from the United States, not from China; in fact, China did not even make the Top-10 list in these Provinces.
BC has yet to provide any data on the origins. While it may be less clear-cut here, our policy changes (both Federal and Provincial) had already curtailed investment, tourism and business travellers from China in the fall of 2019. Thus, I think we may find the US tops the list here also.
Among those travelling were a significant number of snowbirds returning home. Indeed many first heard about the coronavirus from their insurance companies rather than the press or authorities, and thus returned home with no instruction to quarantine.
The good news is that some weeks ago the border closures for non-essential travellers across North America were extended until June 21st. I certainly feel for folk who have family/friends on both sides of the border (I understand that the Federal Government is working on options), or are still stuck in customs quagmires. But, the way it is going, let's hope the restrictions are extended beyond June, and even inter-Provincial travel continues to be discouraged. The last thing we need, now we have substantially reopened, is to prematurely kick off a second wave.
Cheers
Cliff
Senior government officials confirm the arrangement limiting border access to essential travel only will be rolled over for another 30 days.
The agreement, which has to be reviewed each month, was set to expire on July 21. It's now being renewed for the fourth time since the border closed to non-essential traffic on March 21.
Cheers
Cliff
As of June 9th Canada will begin to allow some family members separated by temporary COVID-19 travel restrictions to cross the border into the country. However, anyone who enters the country will have to self-quarantine for 14 days. Family members are defined as:
Spouse or common-law partner
Dependent child
Parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person's spouse or common-law partner
Guardian or tutor
Also on June 9th it was reported that the current border restrictions will be extended to be revisited in July.
Cheers
Cliff
Many Canadians are unaware that, even though they're currently barred from driving to the U.S. for leisure travel, they can still fly to the country. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) its travel restrictions apply only to Canadians trying to enter the U.S. at land border crossings, which includes travel by car, train, ferry and pleasure boats.
However, Canadian air passengers can still enter the country as long as they haven't visited Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K. or 26 European countries 14 days prior.
Cheers
Cliff