The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced a short-term cutback in service hours at low-traffic ports of entry along the Canadian/American border by land, effective on April 15 at 11 p.m. EDT.
The CBSA said this momentary reduction of service hours at border crossings will be appraised on a continuing basis as the public health situation developed.
The federal government had introduced these border measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada and will remain in effect until further notice. The reduction in services modified the opening hours of 27 crossings across the country.
The ruling on April 15 affected four crossings in Saskatchewan, including Carievale, Estevan Highway, Northgate and Oungre. Normally, these crossings are open from 8-9 p.m. from the second Sunday in March to the first Saturday in November and then 9-10 p.m. for the remainder of the year for seven days a week.
With these temporary measures put in place to flatten the curve of the virus, these borders will now be open from 8-4 p.m. CST for seven days a week.
A temporary 30-day restriction for all non-essential travel at the Canada-U.S. border, including but not limited to tourism and recreation, had been applied since March 21.
Economic supply chains and trade will remain open. The CBSA promised to ensure access for goods and services carriers who are crossing the border from either direction – essential transportation will not be interrupted. Therefore, these changes will not affect the movements of commercial traffic.
The CBSA also said they are committed to ensuring Indigenous people will be able to move within and between their communities, along with having uninterrupted access to essential goods and services.
