Reopening of the border | “We’ve been waiting for this for two years”

The snowbirds had to be patient before reconnecting with the Florida sun. There were already two or three hours of waiting at the Canada-US land border, reopened Monday morning for the first time since March 2020. Then a second downside: the PCR test (rather expensive) mandatory on their return to the country, explain the Canadian travelers and American traders.

Mayssa Ferah
Press

The United States reopened its land border to doubly vaccinated Canadians at midnight Monday, after 20 months. At around 6:30 a.m., an endless line was waiting for travelers to board their vehicle. Only four gatehouses were operational when Press, which slowed down the process at customs.

This slight inconvenience did not erase Richard Pellerin’s smile. At the wheel of his shiny SUV, the man from Boisbriand could already see himself with both feet in the sand. Wake up at 4 a.m., excessive waiting time, PCR test on return: nothing could spoil the moment. “I still hope that when I return, they will have removed the screening,” explained the man who was doubly vaccinated.

No test for COVID-19 is required to cross the border into the United States. However, citizens aged 5 and over must undergo a molecular test (PCR test) within 72 hours before returning home.

Andrée Pilote set off around 3 a.m. Monday morning. She was still stuck in traffic between two RVs five hours later. ” At last ! We’ve been waiting for this for two years. So wait a few more hours… ”Direction Florida for several months, once through customs. The health situation there does not worry him.

In theory, Canadians must show proof of vaccination to enter the United States. No vaccine proof was yet required Monday morning for many snowbirds, has noted Press.

The customs officer stationed at the second gatehouse mechanically inspected the passports and began a dialogue full of polite expressions with some basic questions about the visit to the United States. No mention of vaccine proof.

Suzanne Gauvin and Denis Gagnon were quick to show off their application Vaxicode to the border officer. He didn’t even glance at it. “We really expected to have to provide proof. But at the same time, they should know that most of the world here is vaccinated. ”

Christian Archambault and France Cournoyer will spend the next five weeks at Hallandale Beach.

“Casually, taking a plane is a waste of time and money. It forces us to rent a vehicle, while we prefer our car, ”explains the retiree, checking the battery charge level of his brand new Tesla.

He was surprised at the few staff at customs in the morning, when the opening had been scheduled for a lease.

And then there is the molecular test required upon return. “We will do it if necessary, but we are crossing our fingers that this instruction be abolished. It is a bit absurd to require PCR. If the trip wasn’t that long, we’d be bothered. ”

A test or an obstacle?

The atmosphere was less hectic in Plattsburgh, a 25-minute drive from the border. In the city center, charming third wave cafes rub shoulders with independent bookstores and retro-looking pizzerias.

Steve Brody, owner of the antique & Variety Mall flea market chain, expected to welcome buyers from Quebec in the coming weeks. About 15% of its clientele comes from across the border. “The PCR test on their return, it cools them down. You’re not going to pay between $ 100 and $ 200 just to go shopping for bargains at an antique store, ”he explains, pouting pout despite his obvious good nature.

Two of his regulars – Montrealers – wrote to him to let him know they would be back, but not before the PCR test was lifted.

Taking a PCR test is not the end of the world, he adds. But for a family or couple who only want a weekend getaway, “the cost outweighs the benefits”.

Brandon Martineau, manager of the Chapter One café, is delighted with the potential arrival of tourists from Quebec. Like many traders, part of its clientele crosses the border for a weekend. But the “momentum” has passed. “Winter is coming and people will come less and less to stroll. They are going south. At the beginning of the summer, we would have felt a traffic, ”he explains between two spicy pumpkin latte coffees.

Remember that the Canadian border has been accessible to fully vaccinated non-essential travelers from the United States since August 9.

Upon return from Press at home, customs are empty. The border officer is carefully checking vaccine evidence and negative COVID-19 tests. Travelers departing from the United States are also advised to download the app ComingCan to transmit mandatory travel information before and after entering Canada.

A group of mayors from various cities bordering the border are demanding the removal of the PCR test requirement and appealed to the federal government. It is a “barrier for families, except the better-off”. “It’s unfair,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said.