Canadians are now allowed to cross into the U.S. for short visits and return home without being required to take a PCR test. However, the change in regulations seems, so far, to have had limited impact on the number of people entering the U.S. via South Surrey.

Earlier this month, the federal government said that as of Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents who are visiting the U.S. for less than 72 hours wonB次元官网网址檛 need a costly molecular test for COVID-19 in order to return home.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also said that travellers who received the Sinopharm, Sinovac and Covaxin vaccines will be considered fully vaccinated for travel purposes.

Critics in both countries have been complaining for weeks about the need for a PCR test, which can cost between $150-$300 per swab, saying itB次元官网网址檚 a major deterrent to the resumption of cross-border travel.

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However, according to images from a DriveBC camera pointed at the southbound lane at the Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing, very few Canadians took advantage of the relaxed regulations on Tuesday.

Despite gas-rationing measures on this side of the border, whether itB次元官网网址檚 due to lack of interest, concerns about a new COVID-19 variant, rainy weather, or it being mid-week, few, if any, people were lined up waiting to head south.

Mike Hill, who owns HillB次元官网网址檚 Chevron and Gift Shoppe in Blaine, said he hasnB次元官网网址檛 noticed a wave of Canadians heading south to buy essentials like fuel and groceries.

Hill also sits as a councillor for City of Blaine.

He agreed that it may take time for Semiahmoo Peninsula residents and others in the Lower Mainland to get back into the cross-border shopping habit.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to take a little while B次元官网网址� the weekend will be a little better test of whether things have changed, once people start talking and comparing notes about going over the border,B次元官网网址� Hill told Peace Arch B次元官网网址.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been waiting for this day B次元官网网址� except we didnB次元官网网址檛 really know this day would come,B次元官网网址� he added.

B次元官网网址� with files from Canadian Press

aaron.hinks@peacearchnews.com
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