Pent-up demand to enter the U.S. via the Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing following the reopening of the U.S. border today caused a steady 2 km bumper-to-bumper jam along highway 97 out of Osoyoos.
The U.S. border reopened at 12 a.m. this morning (Nov. 8) marking the first time that non-essential traffic resumed in both directions since the Canada-U.S. land border closed in March 2020. The Canadian border has been open for Americans travelling north since early August.
The Times-Chronicle visited the border area around 7:30 a.m. today and traffic was backed up along Highway 97 to just past 42 Ave. which is about 2 km from the border crossing. Vehicles were lined up on the road shoulder from around 6 p.m. Sunday night hoping to get a jump on the midnight opening.
Traffic was moving at a steady, albeit slow pace indicating border procedures were relatively quick. Travellers entering the U.S. by land don’t have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, but have to be prepared to attest to their vaccination status and present their vaccination documentation upon request, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Canadians returning from the U.S. via a land border must show proof of a negative molecular test — such as a PCR test —taken within 72 hours of their planned arrival at the border. These tests can be expensive, running up to $300, and can take up to 24 hours, or longer for travellers to get their results.
The vast majority of the southbound traffic today were ‘snowbirds’ heading to the warmer climates of California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico.
