Canada-U.S. land border finally reopens

Canadians who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are now allowed to make the trip south of the border to go visit loved ones again.

Whether it’s a quick trip to do some shopping ahead of the holiday season or a weekend getaway, it’s the first time any non-essential trips were given the green light since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020.

Despite the border reopening, there are still a few obstacles to overcome if people want to make the trip across.

Kaylah Turner, the mayor of North Portal on the Canada-United States border, says she doesn’t expect a large surge of people from the area making the trek to the south right away.

“Honestly, I don’t know that there’s going to be a huge rush of people crossing,” Turner said Monday. “You do still need to have a test to get back into Canada. So there’s still definite limitations for people who can’t afford to pay for a test to get back home.”

There are just over 100 people living in the village of North Portal, with roughly a few more people living on the opposite side in Portal, N.D.

Both sides had to come up with creative ideas to see each other throughout the pandemic. But as Turner describes it, it wasn’t ever the most ideal situation.

“Obviously, it has been hard for all the families who are separated by the border. We are lucky that when there’s some nice weather, we have a couple spots in town where they can actually meet, and they’ll stay on their side of the line,” Turner said.

“It has been hard for people. So close, but so far away.”

With the border opening up again, many businesses on both sides will start to see an impact leading into the holiday season.

Plus, it will be the first holiday for many families to actually celebrate together in person in two years.

“I know that there’s a lot of Americans near us that miss being able to come into Estevan for groceries,” Turner said. “I foresee a lot more Christmas gatherings this year than last year for sure.”