Border crossing

[Chimo]

So here we are at the beginning of a new season. There’s a warning out for Haro Strait tonight but next week there’s lots of sunshine in the forecast. Time for more than day trips. I had thought of an overnight in Roche but our health authority here in BC says no trips to the USA unless essential and 14 days of self quarantine when I return. That’s a no go. But what does it mean for my American friends? Are you finding extra examination at the border? Do you expect to be quarantined? How do you feel a about visiting your Northern neighbours?

 

[Karll]

I hadn’t thought about that but with the number of cars that cross the border I don’t know how they can in force a quarantine. I will be going out to Stuart Island near Roche Harbor for 4 days starting next Thursday. My friend owns 40+ acres from the entrance at Reid Harbor through Johns Pass. I will be going out for a work party on the property and am looking forward to getting back out on the water.

 

[Ernie]

I’ll be out there starting Monday or Tuesday
I was hoping border wasn’t closed I’ll def look into it
Anyone else in the San Juans next week?

 

[Chimo]

I apologise if I wasn’t clear. Is Reid Harbour in the USA? The San Juans certainly are. I was wondering whether boats crossing into Canada were experiencing any unusual processing as they cleared immigration? That could be visitors or citizens. I know from the BC update today that special arrangements have been made for Canadian truck drivers at highway border crossings. There are calls here to discontinue the Clipper and Coho ferries but what about private boats. Are you experiencing difficulties like quarantine?

 

[scross]

Chino,
You were clear. Obviously those from Washington state going to the San Juan’s (including Stuart Island) don’t have to worry about a border crossing since all of the San Juan’s are in US territory.
I was surprised to hear that you had been told that coming into the US from Canada would require a 14 day self quarantine on your return back to Canada by boat.
The current I-5 Peace Arch crossing has less than a 5 delay for passenger vehicles in either direction as of 2AM on 3/14. Hard to imagine they are telling folks to self quarantine when crossing by car today.
Of course the Canada to USA and back border crossing situation could change at any time. Right now your government is saying to avoid international travel if at all possible but the travel to USA section says to exercise normal security precautions.

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states

Please keep up posted on what you find out!

 

[RichBirk]

We crossed into Canada on March 10, called as usual with our Nexus passes, headed to Vancouver BC - the only thing different was a question whether we had visited China or Iran recently. Hell NO! On our return yesterday, March 13 - everything was just as usual except he wanted to know why I was calling instead of using the ROAM app. We are currently sitting in Friday Harbor waiting for a break in the wind to get to Bellingham to pull out.

 

[Chimo]

scross, you are absolutely correct about the Federal Govt. guidance on travel to the USA. I was thinking more of the Provincial approach. This changes daily and there are updates televised each day at 3:30. The update is then added to the BC government website. The most recent one from yesterday is at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0081-000493. If you're contemplating crossing the border this will give you the most up to date local information. In yesterday's statement you can see that BC had a total of 64 cases and had tested 6,326 individuals. BC is not testing people who are not sick.

The recommendation on returning travelers from the USA only came yesterday and I will quote:

“We are recommending against all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Should you choose to travel, stay away from work or school for 14 days on your return. Guidance for self-isolation is available on the BCCDC website: http://bccdc.ca"

This is an honour system at the moment.

 

[scross]

Chimo,
Yikes! And thanks for the link.
I’m no health expert but I’m not sure how visiting Roche could cause you any greater risk of infection than visiting say Ganges or Victoria. I can understand government positions on this issue but common sense has to factor in as well.
If this lasts into the summer we may self quarantine on Our Journey for a couple of weeks our in some remote little coves way up north!

 

[Karll]

Chimo,
Yikes! And thanks for the link.
I’m no health expert but I’m not sure how visiting Roche could cause you any greater risk of infection than visiting say Ganges or Victoria. I can understand government positions on this issue but common sense has to factor in as well.
If this lasts into the summer we may self quarantine on Our Journey for a couple of weeks our in some remote little coves way up north!

I agree most of the time you will be outside and less likely to contract the virus than you would be in an in closed area.

 

[Chimo]

I thought I would bring this one back up to the top again for a couple of personal comments. The situation has obviously continued to change almost by the hour and I think we are all aware of the latest restrictions etc. Although our Provincial government here in BC has made it clear that they would prefer the Federal government close the border to all non-Canadians please don't take it as a personal insult! We love you guys and when all this is cleared up, as it will be, hope that cross boarder boating in both directions resumes and even increases. We will all need the economic boost.

Stay Safe

 

[Cutwater28GG]

😀

 

[Cutwater28GG]

boating has to be one of the safest activities at the moment!

great time to head off on a 3 month sail around the pacific and come back when its all resolved!

 

[ixlr8]

boating has to be one of the safest activities at the moment!

great time to head off on a 3 month sail around the pacific and come back when its all resolved!

My wife works retail and is exposed to the public 9 hrs a day. She informed me last night if she came down with the Wuhan Virus, quarantine rules say we would have to sleep in separate bedrooms and use separate bathrooms. Our house is under construction so we only have one bathroom/bedroom.
I told her I would go sleep on the boat! 🙂

 

[scross]

Sounds like the US/Canadian border is closing very soon for us non-essential folks. Cr*p!
Stay safe out there!

 

[vertigo]

Sounds like the US/Canadian border is closing very soon for us non-essential folks. Cr*p!
Stay safe out there!

No matter what may come, this will prove to be a most interesting spring boating season.
I sure hope the fish are biting!

 

[iggy]

Sounds like the US/Canadian border is closing very soon for us non-essential folks. Cr*p!
Stay safe out there!

No matter what may come, this will prove to be a most interesting spring boating season.
I sure hope the fish are biting!

The king, I mean Trump has stated that commerce will cross. But the boarder will be closed for visitors.

 

[Toki]

I'd probably plan to fuel up in Canada somewhere, doesn't that qualify as "commerce"?

 

[iggy]

I'd probably plan to fuel up in Canada somewhere, doesn't that qualify as "commerce"?

It sure does!

 

[Chimo]

As we say in one of our official languages, "Bon Chance" 😉

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

We've got your back, Dan... albeit from 6 feet back, you know, social distancing... let's hope this global problem is successfully resolved in short order... saving lives and allowing border crossings!

Be safe and stay healthy!

Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2