Point Roberts leader calls for change to COVID-19 testing requirements for Canadian visitors

Saying they need a “unique solution,” a leader in the border community of Point Roberts is calling on Ottawa to change its stand on requiring travellers to provide a negative COVID-19 test before crossing back into Canada from the States.

Under the current rules, Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce President Brian Calder says he worries most who could travel to his community for a day trip won’t bother. He fears the approximate $200 price of PCR testing might keep them away.

He feels policymakers should spend more time considering flexibility and common sense when it comes to testing for people preparing to cross the border.

Before the pandemic, he says the community used to get up to 1.5 million visitors coming in from Canada every year.

“And half of those are less than a day trip, so they’re here half a day, a few hours. They come for parcels, gas, go shopping, and then they head back,” he says.

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Under the current restrictions, Calder worries Canadians will get stuck in his town since the community only does COVID-19 testing twice a week.

Calder adds he’s glad B.C. Premier John Horgan is also critical of Ottawa’s rules on testing for fully vaccinated Canadians traveling across the border.

He joins a number of American politicians pleading with Ottawa to make a change.

The land borders to the U.S. reopen on Nov. 8. The U.S. does not require a COVID test for people crossing the border — only double vaccination.