Long wait at border as restrictions ease for fully-vaccinnated travelers
Friday was a challenging day if you were trying to cross the border.
On the first day since the federal government lifted some restrictions on travelers entering Canada, the wait to cross into Canada from Montana exceeded five hours earlier Friday.
Normally a busy time of year when snowbirds are returning home to Canada, the new travel rules just made things that much busier.
"We ask travelers to be patient, said Lisa Laurencelle-Pearce, Executive Director of the prairie region of the Canada Border Services Agency.
"And," she added, "to be ready with their information."
The federal government lifted pre-entry testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers Friday.
"They do need to take a COVID-19 test on arrival unless randomly selected," Laurencelle-Pearce said.
But some travel requirements remain in place, she added.
"Travelers are to submit their mandatory proof of vaccination using the free Arrive Can app or through the website within 72 hours before arriving in Canada."
Restrictions are only being eased for fully-vaccinated travelers
And with longer processing times at the border, the CBSA is urging travelers to help speed things along.
"Having their passport (and) Arrive Can receipt and proof of vaccination ready," Laurencelle-Pearce said.
Despite the epic wait times at the border, Canadians are itching to get out and travel.
"I travel a lot, so it makes travel easier," said one woman. "Which is what really excites me about it."
Another traveler at Calgary Airport added, "It makes it (travel) a lot less complicated."
And the tourism industry is anxious to welcome back our southern neighbours.
"We really do need an international guest to return if we want to actually see a recovery in the industry," said Tourism Calgary CEO Cindy Ady, adding that it continues to be important to be mindful of safety.
"I know that my hospitality partners are working really hard at keeping their customers safe and comfortable," Ady said.
Travelers are advised to take delays into consideration when crossing the border, whether by land or through the airport.
And the easing of restrictions only applies to those who are fully vaccinated.
Rules for partially or unvaccinated travelers remain unchanged.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.