It has been an important and an effective tool for public health and the travelling public, but it is time the federal government scrapped the ArriveCan app.
In the past week or so, as many COVID-19 restrictions in the province were being eased, the federal government also started to ease some of its border restrictions.
It was continued good news for our neighbours to the south in Point Roberts.
It has been well documented by us here at the Optimist of the plight of Point Roberts and their business community during the pandemic who rely so heavily on Canadian travellers visiting the U.S. pene-exclave.
Point Roberts has been recognized as a remote border community by Canada’s Order in Council, which means fully-vaccinated Canadians can make essential or non-essential visits for any length of time and are not required to present a pre-entry negative PCR COVID test when returning home or go into quarantine. The trip details need to be provided via the ArriveCan app and there is a chance of being randomly selected to do a COVID test at home when you cross back over the border into Canada.
Since we published our latest story on-line and in print last week, our office has been flooded with emails and phone calls with questions and difficulty navigating the ArriveCan app. Some have even asked us why, if they are fully vaccinated, is the app even needed anymore?
Good question. We wonder that too.
When it comes to short trips, to pick up a parcel, get a few groceries or to fill up your gas tank in Point Roberts and having to fill out the ArriveCan app every time you go across, it’s a real pain.
If you want to keep the app in place for longer trips and extended stays in the U.S., I can see the feds making a case for that, but for short trips, it should no longer be required.
It’s time to scrap the app.
