Border warning for Canadian sports fans planning to watch games in U.S.
Canadian sports fans hoping to catch a Seattle Seahawks or Seattle Kraken game are being advised to plan their trips across the border carefully, or they could face a nasty surprise on their return to Canada.
The U.S. will reopen its land border crossings to fully vaccinated Canadians on Nov. 8.
American border agents do not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test, but the story is entirely different returning to Canada, where a negative test is required.
That test can’t be a rapid antigen test, and it can’t be more than 72 hours old.
“I’ve been told they literally look down to the minute, and if anyone is more than 72 hours, that’s it,” said U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders.
That’s why Seahawks season ticket holder Aneesh Kumar admitted he may not go to any games this season, because it’s too risky and expensive.
For shorter trips, Canadian are allowed to get a test at home before crossing the border, but need to plan carefully. They need to leave themselves enough time to make it to their U.S. destination and back before the 72-hour test limit expires.
Testing for travel in B.C. is expensive, ranging from just under $200 to nearly $400 at some clinics.
“At the end of the day, $200 is not something I’m really interested in spending for testing,” said Kumar, who is fully vaccinated.
In fact, Kumar said he may give his tickets away.
Travellers who don’t make it to the border on time are required to take another test in the United States.
“I’ve heard of clients who are racing up the I-5 to the Canadian border worried about traffic,” said Saunders.
Already, many clinics near the border say they are fully booked some days, and test results are sometimes taking up to 48 hours due to the increased volume.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.