The federal government has again extended land and water border closures to travelers from Canada and Mexico.
U.S. Representative Susan DelBene says in a statement that it “means more unpredictability, suffering, and frustration for our border communities.”
That’s echoed by Brian Calder, who leads the chamber of commerce in the Whatcom County community that’s most dependent on Canadian visitors.
“They’re willfully bankrupting Point Roberts,” says Calder.
He says Homeland Security’s new policy allowing vaccinated visitors to fly into the country but not drive is crazy.
“You can fly from Vancouver to Bellingham, in a regular commercial plane, get out at Bellingham, transfer planes and go to Point Roberts and our little grass strip here,” says Calder. “And that’s okay.”
He says businesses in the exclave that’s surrounded by water and its border crossing with Canada continue to die off.
The ban on land and water border crossings from Canada has been extended until October 21st.
To listen to the full interview with Brian Calder, visit our podcast page.