Temporary Service Changes at select POEs

Date: August 6, 2020 
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: TB/CBSA

Issue: Update on temporary service changes at select ports of entry (POEs).

Proposed Response:

If pressed:

Background:

The Canada-US border has seen a number of enhanced border measures at land Ports of Entry (POEs) take effect since March 21, 2020. A reduction in hours of service at 27 Canadian POEs also came into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 15, 2020. On May 12, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the CBSA temporarily suspended service at 476 small air and marine reporting locations. As of July 3, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the CBSA has temporarily reduced service hours at 12 land and 8 air ports of entry along with deferring the seasonal opening of one marine port of entry and postposing the implementation of seasonal hours at one land port of entry. On July 23, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. ET, following the US CBP decision to reduce hours of service, the CBSA temporarily reduced service hours at 2 land ports of entry, and further reduced the hours of service at 1 previously-announced land POE. These measures will remain in effect until further notice and are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In making these temporary service reductions, the following considerations were taken into account:

Workforce effectiveness

This measure allows the CBSA to preserve capacity should the front line be significantly reduced as a result of COVID-19, as well as, allow for the reallocation of its front-line workforce to higher-traffic sites.

Health and safety

Temporarily reducing hours of operation or suspending service at select POEs also helps to limit the possible transmission points of COVID-19 for inbound travellers and goods. This will also allow the CBSA to focus resources on the screening and assessment of potentially symptomatic travellers and support the Public Health Agency of Canada in enforcing the quarantine and self-isolation requirements. It is also in alignment with the Government’s current objective to have all inbound travellers assessed for symptoms of COVID-19.

Other considerations

These changes will not affect Canada’s supply flow during this pandemic.

Contacts:
Approved by: Denis Vinette, Vice-President, Travellers Branch, [Redacted]

Date modified: