U.S. re-opens land borders, but there is no mad rush south
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U.S. re-opens land borders, but there is no mad rush south

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U.S. re-opens land borders, but there is no mad rush south

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The $ 150-300 price of a COVID-PCR take a look at on return makes it too costly to drive throughout the border to gasoline or purchase low-cost cheese and milk

Writer of the article:

Susan Lazaruk, Derrick Penner

Publication date:

11/08/2021 • 1 day in the past • Learn for 3 minutes • 5 feedback U.S. re-opens land borders, but there is no mad rush south There have been no ready occasions to cross the border into the USA on the Peace Arch crossing on Monday lunchtime. Photograph by RICHARD LAM /PNG

When the US reopened its border crossings to double-vaccinated Canadians on Monday, group leaders in each nations referred to as for calls on Ottawa to desert the requirement of an costly COVID-19 take a look at for these coming into or returning to Canada.

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The open border meant automobiles drove south for just a few hours on Monday morning, however crossings had been quiet for the remainder of the day and state-owned firms stated they did not see many Canadians in outlets or on the streets.

This was largely as a result of requirement for a molecular take a look at to detect a virus, also called the polymerase chain response or PCR take a look at, which prices between $ 150 and $ 300 for anybody coming into Canada.

“If somebody needs to go on a day journey and pay $ 200 to get throughout the border and go to Bellingham for a sandwich and a tank of gasoline, it’s going to be costly,” stated Blaine Coun. Richard Might, who additionally works for the Blaine Chamber of Commerce.

“For essential issues like household reunions and different journeys that individuals will keep lengthy sufficient on, they’ll in all probability justify paying for it, however it’s not as extensive open or as regular because the headlines counsel,” he stated .

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“I have never seen any (Canadians) in Blaine,” stated Gury Gill, whose household owns a Shell gasoline station. “If I had been Canadian I’d actually be fascinated with it (paying for the PCR take a look at). Many Canadians within the (border) constellations journey (additional) south, just like the Snowbirds. “

A road digicam on the Peace Arch intersection confirmed a quick line-up of vehicles on Monday that started round 5 a.m. It peaked between 7:30 a.m. and eight:00 a.m. earlier than falling on an occasional automotive for the remainder of the day.

On Monday afternoon there was a trickle of vehicles blended up with a few giant RVs they usually drove straight to the border kiosks.

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Many of the transient morning rush at Peace Arch Responsibility Free consisted of snowbirds, director Reginald Raju stated.

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Nevertheless it’s “not even near 50 % of a standard day,” he stated.

“It is great, it is actually nice,” stated Rebecca Kostiuk from Ottawa, who stopped on the responsibility free store to get some Kinder Shock treats and wine earlier than visiting her sister and household in Bellingham first go to in three years.

“It’s value seeing her and the youngsters in their very own properties as a substitute of getting to go to (me in Ottawa),” she stated.

Raju questioned the necessity for a PCR take a look at on the border, particularly since Canadians taking quick journeys underneath 72 hours can use a results of a take a look at that was nonetheless being carried out in Canada.

The Surrey Board of Commerce is hoping for change because the Federal Well being Commissioner, Dr. Theresa Tam stated the necessities for a PCR might be re-examined, board president Anita Huberman stated in an announcement.

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With a price of $ 150 to $ 300 for every particular person to be examined, the method is expensive, particularly for households, stated Man Ochiogrosso, director of Bellingham’s regional chamber of commerce.

There was no instant rush to Level Roberts, the US exclave the place Canadians personal 75 % of the properties as trip properties.

“I’d estimate I talked in regards to the market (grocery retailer) and driving round with in all probability 12 Canadians,” stated Brian Calder, CEO of the Level Roberts Chamber of Commerce.

“It is disappointing as a result of we’re completely depending on the Canadians,” he stated, however understands that the necessities of the PCR take a look at should not value day journeys.

Of the individuals he spoke to Monday, 4 had carried out PCR exams in Richmond and deliberate to return inside 72 hours.

“The telephones had been tremendous busy right now,” stated Kevin Liew, proprietor of COVID Journey Vancouver, which provides PCR testing. “There’s extra demand.”

He stated it was essential to maintain individuals protected with testing, however he sees no purpose to have a take a look at in Canada and return inside 72 hours.

slazaruk@postmedia.com

depenner@postmedia.com

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