Short lineups to cross into the U.S. as border opens to vaccinated Canadians

The U.S. border has reopened to vaccinated Canadians, but Canadians don’t appear to be flocking down south yet.

Just after 7 a.m. Monday, wait times at Lower Mainland crossings were very manageable.

The Peace Arch crossing between Surrey and Blaine had the longest delay at 20 minutes. Abbotsford-Huntingdon had a 10-minute delay, while travellers at the Pacific Highway truck crossing have to wait about five minutes.

The U.S. border opened to non-essential travel at 9 p.m. Sunday night, the first time in nearly 20 months.

Critics say the COVID-19 test requirement — which could cost between $150 to $250 — could discourage many Canadians from quick visits across the border.

New York congressman Brian Higgins called the required COVID-test “redundant and unnecessary.” Higgins will join today with mayors and community leaders from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border to urge the federal government in Ottawa to abandon the rule.

Canada’s chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said last week that the government is well aware of the complaints about the test requirement and that it is under review.

[email protected]

twitter.com/cherylchan

— with files from The Canadian Press