The rules around crossing the U.S. border during the pandemic led to a bizarre situation for an Invermere couple earlier this month, leaving them angry and frustrated as they were forced to go into quarantine without having technically entered the U.S. B次元官网网址� indeed, without having even left their vehicle.

Grant and Barbara Howse were on their way to Baja, Mexico, where they have residency and property. There are rules in place to allow for this; in fact, BarbaraB次元官网网址檚 son and daughter-in-law crossed the border earlier B次元官网网址� at the Roosville border crossing.

B次元官网网址淥riginally, we were planning on flying,B次元官网网址� Grant Howse said. B次元官网网址淏ut every flight that we booked with WestJet was cancelled, or pushed to a different date. Finally, we decided to drive.

B次元官网网址淲e got to the border, waited for the command to come in to the port of entry. We explained we were on our way to Mexico, and we were residents of the country. WeB次元官网网址檙e Canadian citizens, but we also have resident status in the Baja.

B次元官网网址淏ut then we were told that we couldnB次元官网网址檛 go to Mexico unless we were Mexican citizens.

B次元官网网址淲e were pulling our trailer, and we loaded up to cross the States, because [BarbaraB次元官网网址檚 son and daughter-in-law, who also have Mexican residency] had gone through.B次元官网网址�

The son and daughter-in-law had been advised that they couldnB次元官网网址檛 stop except for essentials B次元官网网址� gasoline, food B次元官网网址� until they were over the southern border into Mexico, but otherwise they had been waved through.

The Howses explained that they had all their provisions, sanitary gear and masks, and were aware and prepared to follow all safety protocols while crossing the U.S. But even after the U.S. border checked with his supervisor, the HowesB次元官网网址� were still denied entry, offered no further reasons, and told to turn around. But thatB次元官网网址檚 when their troubles really started.

B次元官网网址淲e were a little stunned,B次元官网网址� Howse said.

The couple were told to drive ahead a few metres to a turn-around spot and go back to Canada, and that the U.S. border guards would call their Canadian counterparts and tell them the Howses were coming, having been refused entry.

B次元官网网址淲e turned around and came back to the Canadian side, and the fellow waved us up to the wicket. And thatB次元官网网址檚 where it all started.B次元官网网址�

The Howses were told they were not allowed to come back into Canada unless they went into quarantine for 14 days.

B次元官网网址淲e said, B次元官网网址榳hat do you mean, come back into Canada? We were just refused entry into the U.S. He said B次元官网网址榠t doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter B次元官网网址� youB次元官网网址檙e entering into Canada from the U.S.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The Howses tried to explain that they had not been in the U.S. at all B次元官网网址� that they had been denied entry, but the border guard started listing the penalties they could face if they didnB次元官网网址檛 go into the 14-day quarantine, including jail time and enormous fines.

B次元官网网址淲e were treated like crap B次元官网网址� like we were a couple of idiots. No compassion at all. And he placed us under quarantine. And he told us we had to go directly to our address [in Invermere], and that he would be contacting the RCMP, and they will at any time during the 14 days to make sure we were at the place of quarantine.

B次元官网网址淵ou are not allowed to leave your property, have anyone come to your residence B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淭he rules set down by this fellow B次元官网网址� I was just appalled.B次元官网网址�

The Howses duly returned to Invermere on Oct. 8 and went into quarantine. Grant then called Member of Parliament Rob Morrison, looking for some help on the issue.

B次元官网网址淩ob has taken it a long way up the ladder in the political aspect of things B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 really been a great help to us, in trying to get this resolved,B次元官网网址� Grant said.

The Howses subsquently got a call from a Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) superintendent.

B次元官网网址淗e told us this order had come down, that anyone going into the U.S. and coming back into Canada were to go into a 14-day quarantine. DoesnB次元官网网址檛 matter if you were there for 15 minutes of 60 days. I told him that we had been denied entry. He said there was nothing he could do B次元官网网址� it came down as an order from Service Canada.

B次元官网网址淚 said, B次元官网网址榡ust the same, we hadnB次元官网网址檛 left the country!B次元官网网址� So why were we place in quarantine?B次元官网网址� He said, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 sorry but thatB次元官网网址檚 the rule.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 then told him about the actions of his employee, and how we were treated. He did say he would look into that.B次元官网网址�

Last week, the Howses got a call from Service BC, who confirmed that they would remain under quarantine until October 22. And again, their remonstrations that they had not even left the country B次元官网网址� that they had simply driven a few metres to a turn-around spot so they could go back to the Canadian side B次元官网网址� did not make any difference. B次元官网网址淭hose are the rules.B次元官网网址�

Grant was not allowed to speak with anyone higher up the ladder at Service BC.

The Howses had planned on renewing their Mexican residency while there. In fact, the deadline to do so was October 23, at the Mexican consulate in Baja. But the HowseB次元官网网址檚 agent in Baja was able to get an extension period for them to do so. The HowseB次元官网网址檚 ultimate plan to get dual citizenship, Mexican and Canadian, for all the time they spend there.

B次元官网网址淲e love the place, the country, the people,B次元官网网址� Grant said.

In the meantime, the Howses are stuck in quarantine, and are still furious.

B次元官网网址淭his is BS,B次元官网网址� Grant said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bunch of politics that didnB次元官网网址檛 have to happen. This quarantine is okay in its place, but it doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to apply to everybody. Who sets these rules?

B次元官网网址淭here has to be a more neutral area.B次元官网网址�