This is what the border was like in Ontario on the first day of reopening
It's day one of two-way traffic at U.S.-Canada land border crossings. For the first time is nearly two years, Canadians can visit the U.S. for non-essential travel.
The Canada Border Services Agency said as the reopening came into effect at midnight, traffic was backed-up at southern Ontario crossings, but volumes decreased into the morning and remained quiet during the day.
Acting Director for Southern Ontario Michael Prosia said many of those initially crossing were people with RVs and snowbirds and Monday are generally on the slower side.
He expects volumes to pick up on the weekend when the Buffalo Bills play.
Monday afternoon CTV News Toronto observed few drivers and people crossing at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls.
There were nearly no lines at many points during the day.
Meanwhile, travellers heading to the U.S. east of Kingston faced long wait times at land border crossings.
Early Monday morning, wait times at the Thousand Islands Bridge were an estimated three hours. Those delays were reduced to about 30 minutes by the afternoon.
In Cornwall, there was no wait at all.
In Windsor, the Detroit Windsor Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge were reporting no delays as of 11 a.m. Monday morning.
Entering into both countries, travellers must be fully vaccinated, but in Canada people are required to present a negative molecular or ‘PCR’ test to return home. Families looking to visit loved one after being separated for nearly two years have complained about the additional requirement and pricey test.
The test can cost between $150 to $300, and for those making short trips it can be done before leaving in Canada, which is raising questions from the medical community.
“It doesn’t really reflect what could have happened while you were travelling because you’re allowed to get that test done between 72 hours before you cross the border so there could be exposures that aren’t picked up by that PCR test result and once you come to Canada you might go on to develop symptoms and end up being infected,” said infectious disease specialist Suzy Hota.
Politicians on both sides of the border are frustrated with Canada’s requirement.
The United States border crossing is shown Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in Lacolle, Que., south of Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
“In the current system, it would allow someone to take a PCR test in Canada, cross to Detroit to cheer on the Lions with 65,000 other fans in the stadium and then return to Canada using the test they took before leaving and so how is that test of any use to anyone,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
“We will see significant uptick in economic activity, but we are still doing it with one hand tied behind our back with this redundant unnecessary testing requirement” said U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said Friday the return test policy for Canadians was being re-examined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.