SEATTLE (AP) - Washington state residents living in Point Roberts will not be required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling through Canada for any essential services, officials said.
Travel between Washington state and Point Roberts, the waterfront U.S. enclave connected to British Columbia, requires a 25-mile (40-kilometer) trip through Canada.
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that his office was informed by the Consulate General of Canada of the decision, which will allow about 1,300 residents to forgo having to get a test on either side of the U.S.-Canada border, The Seattle Times reported.
“Point Roberts residents have had very real concerns about transit ever since the pandemic struck, and this exemption will ease some of the burden,” Inslee said. “I want to thank the Canadian government for hearing our request, and to the state’s congressional delegation, who continue working on border access issues for Point Roberts residents.”
The announcement came after Canada implemented a policy on Monday that requires proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test for visitors arriving by land.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
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