Canada, U.S. agree to keep the border closed to nonessential travel for another month
Whatcom County residents are going to have to wait at least another month before they can cross the border to visit Canada.
CTV News in Canada reported that Canada and the U.S. have agreed to keep the border closed to all non-essential travel until Tuesday, July 21. This is the third time the closure has been extended, having started in March as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The agreement was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, June 16.
The agreement exempts trade as well as health-care workers who live and work on opposite sides of the border. Tourists and cross-border visits remain prohibited.
The Western Washington University Border Policy Research Institute reports Canadians represent a large portion of consumers in Whatcom County — anywhere from 2% to 46% of the weekend customer base Whatcom County retailers see. That’s according the institute’s director Laurie Trautman, who added that the average is about 17%.
In 2018 approximately 10.5 million southbound Canadian travelers came through the Blaine, Lynden, Sumas and Point Roberts points of entry. When the Canadian dollar is strong compared to the U.S. currency, that annual southbound total is closer to 20 million.
Trautman said in an email that she wasn’t too surprised by the extension, because she suspects the two governments want to get past the two big summer holidays (July 1 for Canada Day, July 4 for U.S. Independence Day) before lifting restrictions. Depending on how infection rates look, Trautman believes some restrictions could be eased, but not fully lifted, after July 21.
The longer the restrictions remain in place, the greater the long-term impact, Trautman said, saying that vacation and shopping habits will continue to change.
“I think the length of the border restrictions will have a direct impact on people’s decisions to start crossing the border again, even after the restrictions are lifted,” Trautman said.
Canadians have consistently said in polls that they are concerned about the border reopening too soon. In a poll published in May by the National Post, 83% said the border should remain closed.
Some Canadians are also upset that Americans appear to be getting around the rules. The Victoria Times Colonist reported that Americans sailing around the east coast of Vancouver Island are causing concern among residents. The pleasure boats are allowed to sail through the area while going to Alaska waters and the concern is that they are stopping to refuel or resupply at Canadian destinations, according to the article.
Canadian officials are also looking into reports that Americans who say they are driving to Alaska are actually going to places like Banff National Park.
Keeping trade open through the border is key for both countries. Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S. and about 18% of American exports go to Canada.
Trudeau said he is open to a Canadian city hosting National Hockey League games if local health officials agree with it, according to the Associated Press. The league plans to have training camps open in July and to play games without spectators in a couple of cities in late July or August.
“Canada is open to it so long as it is OK by the local health authorities,” he said.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 10:19 AM.
