‘Welcome back Canadian friends’ — U.S. reopens border after 597 days of COVID closure

Traffic is once again flowing in both directions at the U.S.-Canada border Monday, Nov. 8, after the U.S. began allowing vaccinated Canadians to enter. The move comes 597 days after the two countries each restricted travel to “essential” crossings only in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

As of 8 a.m., all five Ports of Entry from British Columbia into Whatcom County were once again allowing “non-essential” travel, such as crossings for tourism, shopping or visiting family and friends. But no long lines of cars waiting to get into the U.S. were seen at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, and there was no foot traffic.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, border wait times for passenger vehicles were generally about average or a little above average as of 9 a.m.