Locked: The Canada-U.S. border is closed to non-essential travel [until July 21]

Keep the border closed (except to essential trade). USA has too many active cases, many of those in the states that border Canada. No thank you. Maybe in a month we can revisit whether July is good, but I don't want to see each provinces good work destroyed by the lack of controls southside.

Amen

And quite frankly I hope the Quebec-Ontario Border stays closed too.

Quebec initially closed it to keep Ontarians out ... but after all their snowbirders came home their case load skyrocketed ... now the highest in Canada closing in on 40,000

They’ve gone so far as to reopen schools this week (still think it a dumb move)

Now I want to keep the damn border closed so they don’t come into Eastern Ontario (campers etc )... and those Ontarians who have cottages in Quebec don’t catch Covid there and bring it back home here to our towns & villages and overwhelm our healthcare as it has been in La Belle Province

We are a LONG WAYS OFF from this all being over

We are only just passed the top of the curve ... and onto the plateau

We ARE NOT in the clear ... or even truly coming down the other side yet

I get every one is bored / restless ... and good weather is coming

BUT the next phase is just as important as the Isolation Phase one was

And just as hard... it’s just different

It’s NOW that using Physical Distancing Rules truly matter the most

A mask, and 6 feet apart is a SMALL PRICE TO PAY for a lot more freedom

JUST DO IT !!!

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Amen

And quite frankly I hope the Quebec-Ontario Border stays closed too.

Quebec initially closed it to keep Ontarians out ... but after all their snowbirders came home their case load skyrocketed ... now the highest in Canada closing in on 40,000

They’ve gone so far as to reopen schools this week (still think it a dumb move)

Now I want to keep the damn border closed so they don’t come into Eastern Ontario (campers etc )... and those Ontarians who have cottages in Quebec don’t catch Covid there and bring it back home here to our towns & villages and overwhelm our healthcare as it has been in La Belle Province

We are a LONG WAYS OFF from this all being over

We are only just passed the top of the curve ... and onto the plateau

We ARE NOT in the clear ... or even truly coming down the other side yet

I get every one is bored / restless ... and good weather is coming

BUT the next phase is just as important as the Isolation Phase one was

And just as hard... it’s just different

It’s NOW that using Physical Distancing Rules truly matter the most

A mask, and 6 feet apart is a SMALL PRICE TO PAY for a lot more freedom

JUST DO IT !!!

Just so there's no misunderstanding; the Ontario->Quebec border is restricted (although enforcement varies greatly). The Quebec->Ontario border is completely open.

Also, even the Ontario->Quebec border restrictions are quite loose; I believe a few weekends ago they reported that 1700 cars from Ontario had been turned around at the border but I believe that was out of 40,000 cars. Tons of residents in the area work in the other province and they are allowed to cross freely. Any "essential worker" is allowed to cross freely (and the definition of essential worker is pretty loose (e.g. my sister is an accountant in Montreal (highest concentration of COVID in Canada) but as an accountant, she's deemed an essential worker so can travel freely to any region). You can cross for humanitarian (e.g. bringing food to elderly person living in Quebec (although you have to bring the food with you; you can't buy it in Quebec)).

It doesn't apply to me but if I had a summer home on the Quebec side (where I paid $4-5k/year in property taxes), I would want to be able to go assess if there was any damage or vandalism (there were tons of thefts and vandalism during the Ice Storm to cottages in the Gatineau area because many of the owners live in Ontario and people were reasonably sure that they wouldn't come visit) and I honestly think that driving from Ottawa to my cottage in Quebec (if I had one - I don't so don't really care other than on principle) is way less exposure than simply doing grocery shopping so I do question the validity of these restrictions)

Shaner wrote: ↑ Can a Canadian cross into the US to visit a sick family member (not sick with COVID, more of age related issues)? Tried to contact American border officers but haven't had any luck. Other than for work, trying to understand what is essential.

I had heard from a friend that you cannot but I would certainly confirm (I was able to reach the border so if you try you should be able to reach someone). (Actually, I think they were trying to do this opposite (American citizen and resident trying to enter Canada to visit sick family member))

Note that as mentioned in another thread, the current restrictions only apply to land borders, you can still fly from Canada to US.

Shaner wrote: ↑ Can a Canadian cross into the US to visit a sick family member (not sick with COVID, more of age related issues)? Tried to contact American border officers but haven't had any luck. Other than for work, trying to understand what is essential.

Land-crossing, doubtful unless you are going as a care-giver not just to "visit". You can probably fly, as US isn't enforcing essential travel by non-land crossings for entry - you would be expected to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Canada.

Jesus what a nuisance. Other that to appease the xenophobia that has taken over here, there is really no point to this. It's not like we had many American tourists to begin with, and at a time like this I doubt we would have any whatsoever.

All this closure is doing is keeping families and friends separated.

Considering we have a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival, there is literally 0 purpose to keeping this border closed other than irrational fear.

Here's hoping they let us fly down to the US so we can travel to a more open state at the very least.

gei wrote: ↑ It's not like we had many American tourists to begin with, and at a time like this I doubt we would have any whatsoever.

Uh, border cities with large tourist economies, like Niagara Falls, would like a word.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Amen

And quite frankly I hope the Quebec-Ontario Border stays closed too.

Quebec initially closed it to keep Ontarians out ... but after all their snowbirders came home their case load skyrocketed ... now the highest in Canada closing in on 40,000

They’ve gone so far as to reopen schools this week (still think it a dumb move)

Now I want to keep the damn border closed so they don’t come into Eastern Ontario (campers etc )... and those Ontarians who have cottages in Quebec don’t catch Covid there and bring it back home here to our towns & villages and overwhelm our healthcare as it has been in La Belle Province

We are a LONG WAYS OFF from this all being over

We are only just passed the top of the curve ... and onto the plateau

We ARE NOT in the clear ... or even truly coming down the other side yet

I get every one is bored / restless ... and good weather is coming

BUT the next phase is just as important as the Isolation Phase one was

And just as hard... it’s just different

It’s NOW that using Physical Distancing Rules truly matter the most

A mask, and 6 feet apart is a SMALL PRICE TO PAY for a lot more freedom

JUST DO IT !!!

The Ontario/Quebec border will open on Monday.
https://www.ottawamatters.com/local-new ... au-2355499

gei wrote: ↑ Jesus what a nuisance. Other that to appease the xenophobia that has taken over here, there is really no point to this. It's not like we had many American tourists to begin with, and at a time like this I doubt we would have any whatsoever.

All this closure is doing is keeping families and friends separated.

Considering we have a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival, there is literally 0 purpose to keeping this border closed other than irrational fear.

Here's hoping they let us fly down to the US so we can travel to a more open state at the very least.

Plenty of reports already of Americans coming across with whatever excuse of "essential" travel and then heading to vacation spots.

Quebec outbreak essentially due to travel and return of QUEBECERS.

IF there is a 14-day quarantine, why would anyone go except for essential reasons?

The broader the travel the higher the risk - this applies to within your region, province, country and internationally. The fact that the only effective controls can be applied at international borders is an outcome of law not intent or medical advice.

Irrationality is in the eye of the beholder.

robsaw wrote: ↑Plenty of reports already of Americans coming across with whatever excuse of "essential" travel and then heading to vacation spots.

As I have pointed out in many other threads, when someone shares information that their "friend" told them, or says there are "plenty of reports" - this means the information is false or just sensationalized.

gei wrote: ↑ Jesus what a nuisance. Other that to appease the xenophobia that has taken over here, there is really no point to this. It's not like we had many American tourists to begin with, and at a time like this I doubt we would have any whatsoever.

You should really get off your high horse and realize what the measures are in place for. You have no idea just how many Americans travel into Canada and I’m not sure where your idea of “xenophobia” comes from. It only takes one USA traveler to become a super spreader in Canada so why risk that? It’s absolutely necessary to keep the border closed.

chimaican wrote: ↑ Keep the border closed (except to essential trade). USA has too many active cases, many of those in the states that border Canada. No thank you. Maybe in a month we can revisit whether July is good, but I don't want to see each provinces good work destroyed by the lack of controls southside.

Is this your expert opinion on virus control ?

sandy_beach wrote: ↑ You should really get off your high horse and realize what the measures are in place for. You have no idea just how many Americans travel into Canada and I’m not sure where your idea of “xenophobia” comes from. It only takes one USA traveler to become a super spreader in Canada so why risk that? It’s absolutely necessary to keep the border closed.

Yes keep the fear going .

mrweather wrote: ↑ Uh, border cities with large tourist economies, like Niagara Falls, would like a word.

So do the National Parks in the Rockies

pfbmgd wrote: ↑ Is this your expert opinion on virus control ?

So what's your solution then? Open the flood gates?

Nah, keep the border closed for the time being. They have a dysfunctional Whitehouse with dysfunctional leadership when it comes to handling COVID.

Can TN visa holder cross border to work in USA?

If the border still issue TN visa for canadians?

chimaican wrote: ↑ So what's your solution then? Open the flood gates?

Nah, keep the border closed for the time being. They have a dysfunctional Whitehouse with dysfunctional leadership when it comes to handling COVID.

So it does not matter the science . It's just Orange man bad . So we punish ourself and the US . We have refugees crossing into Canada daily . So the border is not closed .

Your type of attitude is why the world is such a mess .

You want to look at misshandling of this situation . Look at our goverment .

pfbmgd wrote: ↑ So it does not matter the science . It's just Orange man bad . So we punish ourself and the US . We have refugees crossing into Canada daily . So the border is not closed .

Your type of attitude is why the world is such a mess .

You want to look at misshandling of this situation . Look at our goverment .

Oh please.... Yes I believe Trump is an idiot, but that isn't the reason. The US has high numbers, much higher than ours. In Ontario we still have approximately 400 new positive cases daily (from those who are getting tested) and we still can't reopen because of that. Open the border to everybody (i.e. not just essential trade) just means we have the potential of allowing those Americans who have it (symptomatic or asymptomatic) coming and potentially spreading the contagion and bringing an additional second wave. We already know that our screening sucks. Temperature taking is crap and proves nothing. Asymptomatic don't have fevers. We still require 14 day quarantine so what would the point be anyways? Why can't we delay until July? Essential trade is going back and forth for now.

I want to go back to work. Both my wife and I have been off since mid March and only have CERB, which will end in July. We both work in health care but are considered non-essential because we're not frontline like doctors, nurses, or pharmacists, but will require the same PPE (the ones still in short supply!) when we eventually get to go back. We can't go back until the government deems it safe, and only when the Minister of Health says its safe, and still only then when there is PPE. SO YES! If keeping the border closed for the next while allows us to get our numbers down and help keep it down, and allows me to go back to work, keep the border closed.



And what's your reason you want the border opened up? Do you want to go on a day trip or a vacation? You don't like it because you just don't like our Feds?
Your attitude about jumping the gun and believing that we can go back to normal right now is why this crisis will last longer than it has too. Your type of attitude is the problem, not the solution.