Photo by Whitehorse Star
Premier Sandy Silver
Premier welcomes reopened border
Premier Sandy Silver says he’s glad to see the American border set to reopen Nov. 8, but added there’s much work to be done.
Premier Sandy Silver says he’s glad to see the American border set to reopen Nov. 8, but added there’s much work to be done.
“There’s been lots of conversations with Governor (Mike) Dunleavy, with Mayor Andrew Cremata in Skagway and the mayor of Haines as well,” Silver told reporters last Thursday afternoon.
“Everyone is chomping at the bit to go to Alaska, but cautious and careful is the more important piece.
“I think there’s still some details to be worked as far as mixed batches of vaccines goes. I would reiterate how important it is to have a united front as far as provincial and territorial responsibility on vaccine certification.”
A news release from the Canada Border Services Agency is reminding travellers that border measures remain in place for anyone entering or returning to Canada and that “they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.
“Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border.
“Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada,” the release said.
“Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests”, are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.
“For short trips, that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.”
The release went on to state “unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days.”
“I’d love to see more parallel rules and procedures on both sides of the border,” Silver said.
“There’s testing available in all communities, but we have concerns about just anyone testing. I’ve talked to Dr. (Christine) Elliott about this, and about the proper procedures. You run certain risks (using it).”
Elliott is the territory’s acting chief medical officer of health.
“We have to make sure we have the human resources in place and the right technicians for the testing,” Silver said.
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Comments (11)
Up 0 Down 1
Jim on Oct 22, 2021 at 7:32 pm
@jack, FYI, a molecular test is the PCR test. It has to be processed in a lab. The Antigen test is processed in house at places like drug stores or health facilities like Hummingbird. I had one a month ago and it was $50 deposit and the $130 at the time of the test for same hour results. Now this is only good for leaving Canada. To return we need a PCR test (molecular) uploaded to the arrive Canada ap. I just had one done 2 days ago in Phoenix and they do it for free, but takes up to 48 hours for results. If you want it quicker it is $200 US. Some drug stores in southern Canada are doing them for $40 or less. But Whitehorse seems to have a little extra surcharge. So if your getting a PCR test for $15, please expand on this and give us the location. With the price we pay now, Skagway and Haines travel for a day or two is not very economical. The US is waving test requirement for land and ferry crossings if vaccine proof is provided. Canada is not and still requires a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
Up 1 Down 2
jack on Oct 21, 2021 at 9:20 pm
I've been recently travelling around Europe and Asia and only needing vaccination certificate and PCR Test. Nowhere is asking for molecular test. Flying tonight, again only PCR needed. PCR test is costing only 15$-20$ depending on airport.
Up 1 Down 0
Jim on Oct 21, 2021 at 8:14 pm
@No opinion, please let it be known where you can get the molecular test to travel for $150. Mid September I had to pay $180 for a rapid test (not acceptable for Canadian border crossing) at Hummingbird Health to travel to the U.S. For a molecular with quick results it was around $300. Molecular tests if you have symptoms are free with results in about 72 hours. But these are not acceptable or available for travel. But hey, love to see something more reasonable.
Up 26 Down 27
Tony on Oct 19, 2021 at 10:15 am
We plan to travel by air from Alaska to lower 48 until our US passport is the only document we need to travel through Canada. Although we have been fully vaccinated we still got infected by covid. We are now recovered and healthy. Breakthrough covid 19 cases will likely ravage Canada no matter how many molecular tests or vaccine jabs are given. The new reality seems to suggest that having the jab only makes your covid infection less severe when you get it. Then you have natural immunity.
Governments both Canadian and US do not seem to accept the idea that most people will likely get covid at some point.
Travel rules ought to be adjusted back to normal and let nature take its course. Those people too afraid to face reality should lock themselves in a hermetically sealed room and continue wearing their mask.
Up 14 Down 22
Wilf Carter on Oct 19, 2021 at 9:14 am
Yukoners get ready for the crash that's coming like in the past under liberals and NDP. Federal Government will have to step in and takeover the Yukon like the Federal NDP leader wanted liberals to do to Alberta. Housing prices are going to drop like they did in 1985 and we purchased a duplex for $45,000 in Riverdale on Klondike Road.
Up 8 Down 0
No opinion on Oct 18, 2021 at 10:52 pm
@moose101 it's about $150
Up 17 Down 3
Jim on Oct 18, 2021 at 7:12 pm
@moose, well that’s the really cool part. To get the molecular test before you leave will cost you close to $300. Even the rapid test in Whitehorse is $180 for same hour results. This is $40 most everywhere else in Canada. And if you go to Skagway and stay too long you will have to find someplace there to do another one and that’s if someone there can do it. The US uses the rapid test mostly, but our fine knowledgeable government wants to deter travel, so they keep the molecular test as preferred.
Up 19 Down 21
Matthew on Oct 18, 2021 at 7:09 pm
All of this madness for a virus that has killed 0.07% of Canadians, more die each year going to the doctor! 24K die each year from Doctors misdiagnosis!
Up 31 Down 11
Tyler on Oct 18, 2021 at 5:35 pm
So the Premier wants to fire a bunch of healthy Yukoners to keep our masses safe, yet at the same time he is excited about opening the US border when we are beside a state with nearly the highest rate of Covid in the Union. I should be surprised. But I'm not. It's just more of the usual stellar leadership from the Silver/White marriage.
Up 19 Down 8
Max Mack on Oct 18, 2021 at 5:29 pm
I thought Government of Yukon was all about doing everything in its power to "keep each other safe" or some such b.s.
In keeping with that mantra, shouldn't all travellers to Canada be required to be double jabbed?? No exceptions. Right, Silver?
Up 43 Down 6
Moose101 on Oct 18, 2021 at 4:54 pm
So I go to Skagway on a Saturday and come back on Sunday. I have to get a pre arrival molecular test - where do I get it and how much ?