B.C. premier wants border to stay closed until U.S. can control pandemic

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — B.C. Premier John Horgan is calling for the international border to stay closed until the U.S. gets control of COVID-19.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases per day in the U.S. climbed to an all-time high of more than 50,000 on Thursday, with the infection curve rising in 40 out of 50 states.

Horgan said, during a funding announcement for Richmond Hospital, he is aware of and concerned about reports that Americans heading to Alaska are stopping at hotels in Vancouver.

He’s also heard from MLAs and community leaders of license plates from Texas and California on Vancouver Island.

“And if you’re heading to Alaska, you don’t go through Port Renfrew,” he added. “So we’re concerned about this phenomenon and we’re hearing about in communities right across the province.”

.@jjhorgan on American border jumpers in BC despite the closure. "Our borders need to remain closed until the United States demonstrates that they have a handle on this pandemic." He's brought up the issue w/Deputy PM @cafreeland What do you think? Details on @NEWS1130 #bcpoli

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) July 2, 2020

Horgan said he’s spoken about it with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and hopes she’ll bring it up with the State Department.

“We want to ensure that Alaskans can get home safely, but we also want to protect the work that all British Columbians have done to flatten the curve on COVID-19,” Horgan said.

He pointed out outbreaks in Washington State, California, Arizona, Texas, calling them “absolutely unacceptable.”

He wants to ensure border security is maintained in B.C.

“We do not want to make it more difficult for people to get home. But if you’re going home, you should go straight home You shouldn’t be stopping along the way to enjoy the sights and sounds of British Columbia. That’s not part of the plan.”

The U.S.-Canadian border remains closed to non-essential travel and some family reunification until July 21.

RELATED:

• Canada-U.S. border closure to remain in place until late July: report

• Trudeau, Dix address concerns over Americans potentially exploiting border loophole

• Canada-U.S. border closure extended to June 21 amid coronavirus crisis

Horgan hopes the closure is extended, again.

“Every week for 15 consecutive weeks, we have met as premiers, and the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister, and for 15 weeks I have maintained — and others have supported me across the country — that our borders need to remain closed until the United States demonstrates that they have a handle on this pandemic,” he said.

“If you want to get to Alaska, we don’t want to impede you. But you should go directly. Do not pass go, go directly to Alaska. We’re going to be pretty clear on that right up to the next deadline which is the last week, or second to last week in July. I can’t see our position changing based on what the evidence tells us at this point in time.”

–with files from The Associated Press