How are people getting to/from Point Roberts now with the border closed? (Vancouver: rent)

[jm31828]

I have been curious, for people who live in Point Roberts and occasionally need to make trips to the rest of Washington- or for people who want to go up there to vacation homes or to visit family- how is that working right now with the Canadian border essentially closed? Are people able to cross if it is made clear that the traveler is going straight to Point Roberts, not making any stops within BC?

[texasdiver]

I expect they have special permission to enter and are tracked. People are still driving back and forth to Alaska. My brother just did that. He lives in Alaska and had a car down here that he needed to drive back up. He just had to fill out some paperwork at the border stating that he was going to drive straight through and only stop for gas and not stray off the Alaska Highway. And apparently they are actually tracking Americans to make sure they obey.

I think there are actual forms that you sign and if you disobey the restrictions you can get fined and banned from re-entry into Canada.

[rkcarguy]

The Canadians are being pretty tight on it, my GF has a patient with family in Canada and a mother in assisted care up there, and she's not been allowed to even cross the border.

[Bluefox]

Both the US and Canadian border officials know almost everyone who lives in Point Roberts. I’m sure they’re not just keeping them trapped there.

[rkcarguy]

If you live in Pt. Roberts and work on the US side they will let you cross, not sure about visiting family or going to a vacation home.

[Ruth4Truth]

Well, those who have a boat could just buzz down to Bellingham for a visit, or to catch the train to points south... Or rent a car from Blaine, or wherever.

[momma4evr]

Per Canadian Border Patrol (yes, I called)... IF you are a permanent resident of Point Roberts and can prove it, you will be allowed to cross the border to reach your home. Key word here - at this time - is permanent. If you buy a home in Pt Roberts at this time, you will be allowed to cross the border to move there, bring your vehicle, etc. but NOT to travel back and forth to do repair work, remodeling, etc. prior to moving in. If you live in Point Roberts and work in WA state - you will be allowed to cross the border. If you have medical appointments, need prescriptions - you will need proof to cross.



If you want to visit Point Roberts you can take a boat to the marina at the Point or you can fly San Juan airlines.


Hopefully both Canada and the U.S. will reconsider / lift some of the restrictions to at least allow residents to drive through Canada without stopping to do business, run errands, etc. in the U.S. If I lived there, I would rather be allowed to enter Tswassen to do shopping, etc. versus travel to WA state due to the higher number of COVID infections in the U.S./WA. Would hate to see the border restriction lifted for PR residents without strict guidelines. Hopefully they can continue to keep COVID out of their community.

[Member1]

Update from Point Roberts:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/01/u...on-canada.html

[momma4evr]

Originally Posted by Member1

Update from Point Roberts:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/01/u...on-canada.html

GREAT article; beautiful photos... Thank you for providing this!

[509]

Back in the early 1970's most residents of Pt. Roberts were Canadians. Granted they were part-time so limited by Canada to six months outside the country. I almost moved there when I was living in Vancouver.



Canadians lose their health insurance if they are out of the country for more than six months. Thus the long RV caravans of Canadians heading back home every April on US highways.


I assume the Canadians don't face the same legal roadbloacks that Americans do living in Pt. Roberts.