News that Canada would open its borders to U.S. citizens making non-essential trips starting Aug. 9 this week energized residents and business owners, but that was tempered by a U.S. decision Wednesday to keep its border closed to all but essential travel until at least Aug. 21.
Border crossings into Canada will require proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said U.S. citizens and permanent residents traveling in Canada would be allowed re-entry to the U.S.
The decision by Canada’s federal government Monday to reduce restrictions came as an encouraging sign to businesses like Alaska Fjordlines, which draws a large portion of its catamaran tour customers from highway traffic.
Fjordlines co-owner Alison Jacobson called the border opening “super-great news.”
“I’m thrilled. It could be big. It could be really big, if people have enough notice. People are ready to hit the road,” Jacobson said. “It opens up a lot of opportunity and it’s early enough to still have some summer weather.”
Border traffic accounts for a large but less visible chunk of the local economy, Jacobson said. “Much of the town (business) is people from across the border.”
“Hallelujah,” said Rhonda Hinson. For her gift shop on Main Street, border traffic brings as much revenue as cruise ship passenger spending. She said border traffic may require her to bring on a third employee. “We have lots of friends in Canada. One friend, for her husband’s birthday, had me ship fudge to Whitehorse.”
Hinson said she’s been worried for local business owners, particularly RV parks. “Going two years without income is really tough.” Similarly, Jacobson said she’d been fretting going into winter not knowing when her company would resume regular business.
Mayor Doug Olerud, who owns a Main Street sporting goods store, said he expects crowds. Coho fishing around Haines draws crowds of anglers from the Yukon in September and October.
“I think a lot of people are coming down. People have been calling, asking what the (COVID) protocols are. It would be nice to have fish, but even without fish, there’s a lot of pent-up demand,” Olerud said.
Gift shop owner Hinson said she’s been surprised at the numbers of independent visitors from the Lower 48 to date, many who are flying into Juneau. They include travelers from New York, Montana, Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Olerud said he’s seen the uptick at his own stores. He’s heard that residents of Juneau and Skagway are planning to make trips here for the state fair and he recently advised state fair food booth vendors to purchase extra inventory to handle big numbers.
Under rules announced Monday, the Canada border will be open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents – without quarantining – who are fully vaccinated with Canadian-authorized vaccines, including Moderna and Pfizer.
Travelers will be required to upload proof that they have received a full series of an authorized coronavirus vaccine at least 14 days before departure to a Canadian government app.
Eligible travelers must present a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of arrival at the border.
Haines medical clinic administrator Stephanie Pattison said this week that COVID rapid tests cost $145 for individuals who are not registered patients with Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). For registered patients, the test is billed to the patient’s insurance. Appointments for tests are required and three tests can be conducted in an hour, although during emergencies at the clinic tests might be delayed until the end of the day.
Canada and the United States agreed to ban nonessential crossings at their 5,500-mile border on March 21, 2020 and have continued restrictions on a month-by-month basis.
According to an Associated Press story Monday, Canadian officials have said they “preferred a gradual and phased easing of border restrictions in part because of the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.”
Canada’s vaccine program started behind that of the U.S., but the country has now administered more doses per capita than the United States, according to the AP story. Half of Canadians are fully vaccinated compared to 48 percent of U.S. citizens, the story said.
Citing a renewal order issued by the U.S. federal government Wednesday, Canada’s CBC reported Wednesday that the U.S. land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21.
“Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing specific threat to human life or national interests,” the CBC quoted the U.S. federal government saying in a statement.
Wednesday’s U.S. action was protested by officials in U.S. border towns and by Canada’s Chamber of Commerce, according to the CBC..