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Crossing the US - Canadian Border on Aug 26


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#1 Jack

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Posted 27 August 2021 - 02:39 PM

We crossed from the US into Canada at Abbortsford, BC and it went quite smoothly. We presented our passports, our ArriveCan receipt,  proof of negative Covid tests answered a few of the common crossing questions, and in less than 5 minutes, we were on our way - but it did take about 40 minutes to get to the front of the line with 7 vehicles in front of us. They randomly select vehicles for a Covid test swab at a tent past customs, but we were not picked.

 

If you cross at a border that does not have on-site Covid testing (Google to find those that do), figure on another hour to fill out forms and go online so a customs agent can watch you swab your nose and place the swab in a sealed container.

 

First, your Covid test has to be a PCR (molecular) test; home tests are not sufficient. Pharmacies are not reliable, often providing results in 4 to 6 days. You have to be at the border within 72 hours of the test. Two friends did get across at 72 hours and 40 minutes - but they were lucky.

 

Second, download the ArriveCan app (Android & iPhone). You enter your identification information (one or more people), and then your crossing, date and time. You have to be within about 72 hours of your crossing date and time to continue. You enter your vax info by taking a picture with the app. I suggest you take a picture of your Covid Vax card and your medical record for the vax (same photo). You attest to having a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your crossing time. Our test results were available the day before we crossed. Of course, if you get a positive result, your plans will change and be very different. We printed out our medical record page with the Covid test results. The app is really focused on air travel, so you have to give the name and address of a Canadian 3 day reservation upon your arrival. We made a reservation for one night at an RV park outside of Abbotsford. We also made a reservation at Mt Revelstoke NP for the next night but did need to enter it. You also answer several questions such as how you would handle a 14 day quarantine. Had we been asked for details on quarantine, we would have answered that our FWC is self contained, that we have a 14 day food supply, and would sit and isolate in an RV park. (We were never asked about this at the border.) When you finish entering the information, you submit it and if all is well, you get a receipt which you can print out or just show your phone at the border.

 

Masking indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces and 6' / 2m distancing is required nationwide.


Edited by Jack, 23 September 2021 - 12:19 AM.

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#2 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 27 August 2021 - 07:43 PM

Sounds like Canada has it together.

Fairly simple after the wait.

Frank


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#3 ckent323

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Posted 28 August 2021 - 05:41 AM

We already decided to cancel our return ferry reservations and drive back to the lower 48 through Canada at the end of September.  Your post gives us confidence about our decision.  Thanks for posting.

 

Craig


Edited by ckent323, 28 August 2021 - 05:41 AM.

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#4 Missing Link

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Posted 28 August 2021 - 02:47 PM

Jack - Thank you for the detailed account of your border crossing.  Have a great trip!  


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#5 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 28 August 2021 - 10:59 PM

We already decided to cancel our return ferry reservations and drive back to the lower 48 through Canada at the end of September.  Your post gives us confidence about our decision.  Thanks for posting.

 

Craig

That's great news Craig.Have a great trip.

Say hello to the animals in Denali for us.

Frank


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#6 Jack

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Posted 29 August 2021 - 02:18 AM

Our destination is Vermont's NEK and South Hadley MA, with a stop in Ottawa to see close friends we've know for ages. It's also been 51 years since we drove this route on the Transcanada; the road is somewhat improved, to say the least. Oh, the Ford Ranger is a bit peppier than our VW bus and the FWC is a bit better appointed than our VW (standard model, not the camper model).

 

Compared to other trips in August in BC and Alberta, we see less than half the number of recreational vehicles. Compared to 3 years ago, the section of the Icefields parkway that we drove (Lake Louise to Rt 11) was just not jammed - an enjoyable journey this time. Mt Revelstoke NP Snowforest campground did fill up, but the basic provincial campsites along Rt 11 all had many spaces in mid afternoon. We have not seen any US plates in the three campgrounds in which we have stayed.


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#7 DavidGraves

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Posted 29 August 2021 - 03:06 AM

Hi Jack

 

Enjoy the journey !

 

Send me an email later next month with your location.

 

We should be wrapping things up in VA by the third week and will probably head north so Hope can retrieve a musical instrument from Amherst MA.

 

David Graves


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#8 goinoregon

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Posted 29 August 2021 - 03:09 AM

glad to hear you made it out !!!

let us know your trip observations.

i managed to get 2 of the torklift derringers in, and close to #3 !!  i think i have 3 trips in, to beaumont hardware :) 


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#9 Atlin

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Posted 29 August 2021 - 02:35 PM

Glad somebody got across.  We've tried twice and both times the covid test did not get returned in the required 72 hours.  Drove to the border and waited until time was up, turned around and drove home for lack of a test.  One time got a notice at exactly 72 hours that "the tests will be delayed" followed next morning by "something wrong with your test, will need a retest" followed 24 hours later by "your test was negative."  Seems a real crap shoot to me and we finally gave up trying.  So just a bit of a warning to others, it doesn't always go as planned.


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#10 Jack

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Posted 02 September 2021 - 12:27 AM

Finally met two groups of Americans in Longlac ON. Campgrounds are 1/3 to 1/2 full and outside of BC, there are only a few RVs on the road. The Americans crossed at a small border that did not have on-site Covid testing - it took them about an hour to fill out forms and go online so a customs agent could watch them swab their nose and place the swabs in a sealed container.


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