Evergreen Reporter

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter late last month to Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imploring for assistance with travel to WA's Point Roberts, according to an Aug. 21 press release from the governor's office.

Gov. Inslee explained that, because of the area's geography, the roughly 1,300 residents of Point Roberts cannot commute by land to Washington's mainland without crossing borders into British Columbia and the Peace Arch Border Crossing. 

The border crossing was reportedly closed to almost all travelers on March 21 of this year due to COVID-19, and will remain closed through at least September 21.

"Given the community’s isolation, there are very limited services available in Point Roberts and residents customarily travel into Canada or to Whatcom County to obtain needed goods and services, including regularly accessing schools and education centers due to quarantine rules," Islee wrote in the letter. "As such, Washingtonians living in Point Roberts face unique hardships resulting from COVID-19 border closures, including challenges for students’ academic and athletic careers, increased uncertainty for local businesses, and an inability to see family and loved ones living outside the Point Roberts enclave on the Tsawwassen peninsula."

Islee's release stated that Canada and the U.S. had made agreements on a transit pass for Americans commuting by land to Alaska before, and that the solution for Point Roberts would be similar. Gov. Islee suggested allowing Washingtonians to cross through the Peace Arch Border by carrying an approved pass, but also said he is open to other suggestions from the Canadian government.