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Aldergrove resident separated from U.S. relatives not optimistic about border reopening

Georgene VanDelft thinks system could be overwhelmed if testing requirements are not eased
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Aldergrove resident Georgene VanDelft, seen here meeting U.S. relatives along the border on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, isn’t optimistic about the Prime Minister’s suggestion the U.S. – Canada border could be reopened soon. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

News the border between B.C. and Washington State will be reopened to fully vaccinated Americans for nonessential travel doesn’t impress Aldergrove resident Georgene VanDelft, who has relatives just south of the line.

“I’m not getting my knickers in a knot,” VanDelft told the Langley Advance Times.

On Monday, the federal government announced Canada would begin permitting entry by American citizens and permanent residents who are currently residing in the United States, who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada, for non-essential travel.

READ MORE: Families separated by B.C. border restrictions are again meeting ‘in the ditch’ on roads

VanDelf is waiting to see what, exactly, the lifting of restrictions will involve before she celebrates, based what she and her family has experienced after the federal government announced fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents returning to Canada would be able to avoid a mandatory quarantine beginning July 5.

However, people still must prove a negative COVID-19 test before returning, and another once they get back

While VanDelf has been able to get across the border to see family, she said her children can’t, because they are not vaccinated and would have to be in quarantine for 14 days.

“That works out for adults, but not for kids,” VanDelf remarked.

“They’d have to skip school.”

READ ALSO: An expensive return home for Langley standup comedian

Canada had an estimated 22 million foreign visitors in 2019, about 15 million from the States.


Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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