Canadian Snowbirds Update

No surprise here.

Recently, Canada and the United States agreed to extend the land border restriction on all non-essential travel until October 21, 2020. This means that travel for tourism purposes will not be permitted at any land border crossing until at least October 21, 2020, but we anticipate this closure may well extend into 2021. While the Canadian Government will consider certain travel applications, on humanitarian grounds, on a case-by-case basis, the U.S. Government will not be considering such applications at this time. The CSA remains in constant communication with government officials and border agencies in both Canada and the U.S. to ensure that the concerns of our members are heard during these trying times.

While leisure travel to the United States by vehicle continues to be restricted, Canadian citizens are still able to travel to the U.S. by air.

And from snowbirdavisor.ca.

On September 18, 2020, Canada and the United States agreed to extend the land border closure through October 21, 2020. It is possible that the current land border travel restrictions may be extended on or prior to October 21 for one or more additional 30 periods or some other length of time, and there is currently no clear indication as to when land border travel restrictions may end.

A temporary 30-day measure from March of 2020 appears to be locked in now. The border closure may continue for years. Except, oddly, if you decide to fly.

We know of several snowbirds that will fly to their winter homes and stay in COVID-19 lockdown south where it is warm.

Other snowbirds are attempting to influence the government.

Some snowbirds are campaigning for authorities to open up the land border to people who live in the U.S. seasonally. Neither Global Affairs Canada nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection directly addressed questions about whether such exceptions were under consideration.

I’ve resigned myself to spending the winter in Canada.

Time to buy a winter coat, winter boots, winter gloves and a winter toque.

It’s going to be a long, cold season.