A totally unique situation requires a totally unique solution – and a Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce director hopes he has come up with that unique solution.
Chamber director Brian Calder, who has been an ongoing voice urging government officials both in Canada and the U.S. to relieve ongoing personal and economic stress currently engulfing Point Roberts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has suggested the creation of a punch card day pass system to allow some travel between Canada and the U.S. peninsula.
In an email to the Optimist, Calder said the border card could apply to both Canadians and Americans entering either way. The card will have five punches per household per month for crossing. Proposed reasons accepted for entry/exit would include for things like food, veterinary and medical appointments, supplies, shopping, property checks, family visits and schooling.
He suggests that there would be no trip time restrictions either.
“You could incorporate COVID-19 testing at the border like the Tampa Airport currently does,” Calder said. “Charge a fee for the instant test. It already works for air travellers. This relatively simple short-term solutions will aid Point Roberts residents’ and Canadian homeowners instantly, without worry, and at minimal cost.
“During this interim period we will continue to work on a longer term solution to ensure this complete isolation and economic collapse never happens to Point Roberts in the future.”
Calder’s suggestion comes as the Canadian federal government announced an extension of the Canada/U.S. border.
On Monday morning the ban on non-essential travel between Canada and the U.S. was extended until at least Nov. 21.
Canada’s public safety minister, Bill Blair, made the announcement on social media on Monday morning.
The news extends the current ban – which includes vacations, day trips and shopping – which has been in place since close to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
The ban, however, doesn’t apply to people that provide essential services in either country, including trade shipments and cross-border workers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the ban won’t be lifted until there’s clear evidence that the pandemic is slowing across the border.
-with a file from Richmond NEWS
