Coutts Border Crossing (Supplied by Canada Border Services Agency)

By Justin Goulet/Lethbridge News Now

Stricter rules in place

Coutts one of five borders to open for foreign nationals transiting through Canada to Alaska

Jul 30, 2020 | 12:14 PM

COUTTS, AB – The federal government has set stricter rules for foreign nationals coming through Canada to get to Alaska.

As of 12:01 a.m. PDT on July 31, new measures will come into effect for travellers moving through the country to Alaska for non-discretionary purposes.

Foreign nationals going to Alaska via Canada:

• Must enter Canada at one of these five Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ports of entry:

o Coutts (Alberta)

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o Abbotsford-Huntington (British Columbia)

o Kingsgate (British Columbia)

o North Portal (Saskatchewan)

o Osoyoos (British Columbia)

• Will be allowed a reasonable period of stay to carry out their transit.
• Will be limited to travel within Canada using the most direct route from the port of entry to the intended port of exit, while avoiding all national parks, leisure sites and tourism activities.
• Will be required, before entering the United States, to report to the nearest CBSA port of entry to confirm their exit from Canada.

In-transit travellers will get a tag to hang in their vehicle, to be attached to their rear-view mirror for the entirety of their trip to or from Alaska. The tag will include the date that the traveller must leave Canada. The back of the tag will remind travellers to comply with all conditions imposed on entry, as well as the Quarantine and Emergencies Act and a list of public health and safety measures to follow.

The CBSA added that these measures also apply to foreign nationals transiting to the U.S. through Canada from Alaska.

However, entry into Canada from Alaska on the northern border is not limited to designated ports of entry. Additional measures may be imposed at time of entry by a border services officer (BSO).

On arrival at one of the designated ports of entry, travellers must satisfy a BSO that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada. Travellers are being encouraged to carry documents that showcase their purpose for travelling.

The final decision on allowing a traveller through the border will be made by a BSO, based on the information available to them at the time of entry.

Once in Canada, travellers will be provided with a Public Health Agency of Canada handout. This document will clearly state that travellers should:

• Avoid contact with others while in transit.
• Remain in their vehicle as much as possible.
• Not make ant unnecessary stops.
• Practice physical distancing at all times.
• Pay at the pump if they need gas.
• Use a drive-thru if picking up food.
• Wear a suitable mask or face covering while in transit.
• Ensure good hygiene practices if they need to use a rest area.

In-transit travellers are also encouraged to use only services that are open to travellers along the direct route on which they’re moving. Those that arrive at a non-identified port of entry for the purpose of transitioning to Alaska will be denied entry and advised to go to one of the approved ports of entry.

All and any travellers who have COVID-19 or show any symptoms will be denied entry.

Additionally, providing false information to a BSO could lead to consequences such as being denied entry and/or banned from returning to Canada.