Nova ScotiaB次元官网网址檚 COVID-19 border closure has shut out a Maple Ridge family that was in the process of moving to their new home in the province.

David and Julie Kaplan were driving across the country, but were stopped at the New Brunswick border. That province informed them Nova ScotiaB次元官网网址檚 border is closed, and turned them back.

The family of four is camping in Quebec, hoping to cut through pandemic-created red tape.

B次元官网网址淭hey were exhausted, and to be turned away was very emotional,B次元官网网址� said DavidB次元官网网址檚 sister Belinda Kaplan, who started appealing to the media for help from her home in Maple Ridge.

The KaplansB次元官网网址� story has been in the television news in Atlantic Canada, and David said he is now cautiously hopeful that a resolution is in sight.

B次元官网网址淏ut weB次元官网网址檙e still waiting, and havenB次元官网网址檛 heard anything,B次元官网网址� he said on Tuesday morning. B次元官网网址淎nd we have no guarantees.B次元官网网址�

The family was looking for a fresh start in the Maritimes, where JulieB次元官网网址檚 family lives, and sold their home in Maple Ridge to buy a two-acre property in Windsor Forks, N.S., about 40 minutes from Halifax.

When they left their home on May 2, the public health orders stated they could still get into the province, based on the closing date of their property purchase.

B次元官网网址淭he day we left, Nova Scotia was going to let us in,B次元官网网址� said David.

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However, as the pandemic took hold of the province, and case counts reached record highs, the border restrictions tightened. Nobody is allowed to enter the province until at least the end of the month, with few exceptions.

The border was closed at 8 a.m. Monday.

The Kaplans had been travelling at an admittedly leisurely pace, moving across the nation with Justin and Estelle, aged six and four, and the family dog.

B次元官网网址淢oving, at the best of times, is quite stressful, much less moving across the country,B次元官网网址� said David.

They have a cargo trailer full of their most valued possessions, and a travel trailer to sleep in. When they heard the new restrictions were coming, they got their caravan moving, putting in some long days of travelling over 1,000 km each, but still just missed the open border. At the New Brunswick border, officials were inflexible.

B次元官网网址淭hey wouldnB次元官网网址檛 even look at my documentation,B次元官网网址� said David.

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But he sent an email asking the Nova Scotia government for a compassionate exemption. They called their realtor, their new MLA and a variety of other potential advocates, and it seems they may get passage. Their appeal has been given unofficial approval.

He is keeping the family comfortable in a campground near the New Brunswick border, and expecting some digital permit documents that will get them both through New Brunswick and into their new home province.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very hopeful. I think things will be resolved. ItB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of time,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e need to be able to get home.B次元官网网址�