New Travel measures in place for Alaska transit through BC

No side trips allowed!  Those transiting  to and from Alaska and the lower
48 States now requires just one direct route between borders

As of this morning, those travellers making their way to and from Alaska through British Columbia have some new measures to take note of, with the Canadian Border Service Agency set to enforce new regulations for transit through the province.

The announcement yesterday put in place three condition for that travel to ensure that there are no side trips on the way from points A to B.

Imposed a reasonable period of stay to carry out your transit 

Be required to take the most direct route to your destination and not stop for any leisure or tourism activities including visiting national parks 

Be required to report to the nearest CBSA port of entry to confirm your exit from Canada before entering the United States

Towards those measures, the CBSA will issue visitors a vehicle 'hang tag" which is to be affixed to the rear view mirror of travelling vehicles for the duration of the transit. The tag will include  the date you must depart Canada as well as information on the conditions imposed upon entry, the Quarantine and Emergencies Acts and a list of public health and safety measures to follow.

Travellers are only allowed to make essential stops along the way, including use of facilities, or those for refuelling or essential stops.

The full list of guidelines can be reviewed here.

The new restrictions went into effect as of 12:01 this morning.

American spotting has been greatly reduced in the Northwest ever since
the Alaska Marine Highway System suspended its service to Prince Rupert
in November of last year

While there have been reports of a few American licence plates in the Prince Rupert area this summer, the large volume of years past has not been prevalent owing to the border closure of March.

As well, the Alaska Ferry System has not had a port call in Prince Rupert since November of 2019 and with the situation related to COVID it's not known when or if that service will return to the region.

With the new regulations in place, making use of Highway 37 North to the Yukon and on into Alaska would seem to be off the map for visitors, reinforcing how any side trips to Prince Rupert or elsewhere now against the rules.

North Coast residents are reminded however, that some Americans (and other Canadians) do live in the region and may not have replaced their licence plates to this point, something to keep in mind before being too harsh on the owners of any unusual plates that may be noted.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice addressed the theme of non-residential travel in the region earlier this week with a statement to the Legislature.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.