Unable to see family due to US-CANADA border closure

[mvan 5]

I’m sure there are many people on here impacted by the US - Canada border closure. I am a permanent resident living in the US however I am only 30 minutes from the Canadian border and prior to the border closure I went up to Canada very frequently to visit my family. The border being closed to non essential travel for the forseable future has really taken a negative toll on my mental health what with being separated from family until who knows when. What Makes the situation more frustrating is I live in a very very rural area and am currently seeing hardly anyone and my family who I would visit is also in a very rural area (on a farm) and so we are at a low risk of spreading the virus. I am wondering if anyone is in a similar situation? I wish there were exceptions to the rules. I understand they don’t want a huge influx of travelers, shoppers and tourists but I don’t feel like I’m a threat when I would only visit my family and be quarantined there. Is there anything I can do about this? 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

You are lucky that you live so close to family and are able to see them so often. Some of us are are hours or days away by plane and thousand of dollars. Have you utilized Skype or zoom sessions with your family? I know it's not the same but you can schedule regular weekly meetings with them so you can all talk and see each other. Have you and your spouse done things to keep yourselves busy like going for walks or hikes, trying new recipes or engaging in a new hobby? We've been doing yard work and it's nice to be outside away from the internet/our phones and just enjoying being in the moment. These things can help you keep your mind busy and help with your mental health. Your job may have resources that offer a certain amount of free phone counseling sessions that may be helpful as well. Unfortunately basically everyone is in the same situation. Don't forget; this too shall pass. 

[mvan 5]

Thank you for your comment and your suggestions. Also thank you for helping me to put this in perspective. It helps a lot! I hope you are safe and well

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, mvan said:

Thank you for your comment and your suggestions. Also thank you for helping me to put this in perspective. It helps a lot! I hope you are safe and well

You're welcome. If you ever wanted to try a new hobby or craft now is the time! I've wanted to make wool/felt animals and I just ordered a bunch of stuff on etsy. I love that website- if there is any craft you wanted to try you can probably find materials there (or of course amazon) and you could give some to your family as well when you are able to see them; or if any of your family is into that stuff as well you can make them together on skip/zoom/facetime. A positive is that COVID did not change anything with your immigration- you are already here with your spouse and don't have to worry about if your visa will expire before the borders open up, etc. There is always a bright side; not to minimize how you are feeling; you have every right to want to visit family/feel blue because of this situation. Dawn comes after the darkness!

[Googoobuggy 4]

Hello,

 

Canadians can fly to the US at 4 of the Canadian airports, so if your family wants to visit you, they can. The travel ban between Canada and the US only applies to land and ferry travel: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-04-22/pdf/2020-08650.pdf

 

My Canadian fiancé (without a visa) was able to fly here last week from Toronto (YYZ). First time he tried, Customs said his reason wasn’t “essential”. He tried again the next day, and there was a different guy at Customs, and they didn’t even question him and let him through. It may take a few tries for you to get the right person, but they should let you through. If you say you need to take care of family or something, they probably wouldn’t question you.

 

Of course, flying has its risks with COVID, so maybe your family wouldn’t want to do that, but it’s still an option.

[mvan 5]

11 hours ago, Googoobuggy said:

Hello,

 

Canadians can fly to the US at 4 of the Canadian airports, so if your family wants to visit you, they can. The travel ban between Canada and the US only applies to land and ferry travel: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-04-22/pdf/2020-08650.pdf

 

My Canadian fiancé (without a visa) was able to fly here last week from Toronto (YYZ). First time he tried, Customs said his reason wasn’t “essential”. He tried again the next day, and there was a different guy at Customs, and they didn’t even question him and let him through. It may take a few tries for you to get the right person, but they should let you through. If you say you need to take care of family or something, they probably wouldn’t question you.

 

Of course, flying has its risks with COVID, so maybe your family wouldn’t want to do that, but it’s still an option.

Thank you for sharing this! Very interesting! 

[DeepakChani 738]

Here, I am a Canadian Citizen living in the US with a Green Card. I want to go to Canada to visit family next month for a couple weeks (i am aware I have to quarantine for 14 days when I arrive in Canada). Am I allowed to travel to Canada and able to come back to the US?

 

Do the non-essential/essential travel limitations apply to me (a Canadian Citizen with a US GC)? 

[HRQX 4,145]

On 5/19/2020 at 9:19 AM, DeepakChani said:

able to come back to the US? 

Back to US you are eligible via land, air, or sea. US land entry is available to you as it's automatically "essential travel"; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/24/2020-06217/notification-of-temporary-travel-restrictions-applicable-to-land-ports-of-entry-and-ferries-service

Quote

travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to “essential travel,” which includes, but is not limited to—

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
• Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work);
• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada);

 

On 5/19/2020 at 9:19 AM, DeepakChani said:

(i am aware I have to quarantine for 14 days when I arrive in Canada).

Correct. Entry to Canada is available to you via land, air, or sea. All Canadian citizens can enter Canada via land; it's still allowed.

[HRQX 4,145]

On 5/12/2020 at 8:31 AM, mvan said:

The border being closed to non essential travel

See my post above. You can travel by land both ways.