Good news for Point Roberts residents; businesses, not so much

Updated Canadian rules on crossing the border into Canada brought a measure of relief to residents of Point Roberts, if not the businesses. As of August 9, habitual residents of Point Roberts “will be eligible to enter Canada to carry out everyday functions and access goods and services within their neighboring Canadian communities, so long as they remain in those communities while in Canada.” Residents need not be fully vaccinated in order to cross the border.

Boaters, too, will be able to enter Canada in a similar fashion as well. “If a boat does not land in Canada, doesn’t make contact with another boat, doesn’t moor or anchor while in Canadian waters, other than anchoring in accordance with the right of innocent passage under international law, the travelers will not be required to submit a pre-arrival test or their mandatory information via ArriveCAN,” according to the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Otherwise, boaters intending a longer stay in Canadian waters will be required to provide proof of a valid Covid-19 molecular test taken before arrival and submit mandatory information including proof of vaccination and suitable quarantine plan using the ArriveCan before or when entering Canada. These requirements are the same for travelers entering through land borders.

As usual, there appears to be some confusion on exactly how the rules are being interpreted at the Boundary Bay border crossing. Some residents are being told they are only allowed to visit Tsawwassen, others are told Ladner as well while still others have been told anywhere in the municipality of Delta. Do residents need to use the ArriveCan app? Some have been told no, others yes or probably later. In any event, the ArriveCan app doesn’t appear to be designed for use by residents of Point Roberts, Hyder, Alaska, or the Northwest Angle in Minnesota. Presumably, clarity will be provided in due course.

The changes have resulted in increased traffic heading north at the mainland border crossings. Lineups extended down I-5 to U.S. customs and beyond on several mornings this last week.

It’s anyone’s guess as to when the U.S. will open the border reciprocally to Canadian travelers. Until that time, Point Roberts businesses will continue to suffer especially if residents start buying goods across the line that they could buy locally. The International Marketplace is a particular concern, for instance. Back in June, Governor Jay Inslee announced a $100,000 emergency grant to the grocery store but the money has yet to be delivered.

The administration of the grant is the responsibility of the Port of Bellingham and, according to the Port’s economic development director Don Goldberg, “there is quite a process involved in making such a grant.”  He did not elaborate upon what that process is, but said the Marketplace should receive the money “either next week or the following week” (August 22-27).

The moral of this story? Buy local. Support your local merchants.