Nexus Lanes/Border closures

Speculation that Canada and the U.S. intend to extend the border closure past April 19 or longer than the 30 days originally specified remains simply that: speculation. In an email to the All Point Bulletin, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) senior spokesperson Rebecca Purdy would not address the speculation other to say, “The temporary prohibition will last for 30 days, but can be prolonged for public health reasons.”

Travelers crossing into Canada since March 31 have been asked to provide information about their address, phone number and email address on every trip, at least at the Peace Arch crossing.

According to Purdy, “As of March 25, at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) direction, the CBSA began informing travelers that it is mandatory to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry into Canada. Anyone arriving in Canada by air or land must complete a contact tracing form to help PHAC monitor and enforce the 14-day self-isolation requirement. All travelers are required to complete the contact tracing form. Those that are both asymptomatic and considered essential because they are working trans-border (for example, in the trade and transportation sector), are exempt from completing the form.

“All information collected in the contact form is provided to PHAC. The contact tracing form captures basic biographical data, flight data (if applicable), and contact information for the traveler while in Canada. Once completed, it is provided to PHAC, who determines when and how to share this information with provincial authorities and/or law enforcement.”

In other border developments, both countries have closed their NEXUS lanes until further notice.