Passengers disembarking from the MV Coho on Monday, November 8 were greeted very well by a small but noisy crowd who greeted people in the United States since the sea crossing for the first time in 20 months.
The event, hosted by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, featured many people on the docks with American and Canadian signs to greet passengers.
“I am touched,” said Jean Francios Bienvenue, a Quebec cyclist. “My heart is jumping everywhere. I never thought it would be like this… it’s really awesome. You are awesome.
Bienvenue began his cycling journey in White Horse, Yukon, in hopes that he could eventually cross the Canada-US border to continue his cycling journey to Los Angeles.
“When I finally heard about the border opening, I had to wait two more weeks. Otherwise I would have gone home, ”said Bienvenue.
Many people traveling on the Coho continue to travel to other parts of the United States in search of warmer climates for the winter, said Edna Petersen of the Port Angeles Business Association.
Some were planning to stay in the Port Angeles area for a few nights before returning to Canada or traveling to other parts of the country, she said.
“I believe most of our visitors coming in today are on their way back to California, Arizona, Nevada, and I would tell them to drive safely,” said Petersen. “Some take Coho packages and stay in town for a few days because this has all been problematic… but I’m glad they’re back.”
The Coho set sail at 8:20 a.m. to pick up passengers in Vancouver, British Columbia, as the U.S.-Canada border officially reopened on Monday. However, international travel, even between the United States and Canada, still presents some barriers related to COVID-19.
Those traveling to the United States only need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Those traveling to Canada – even Canadian citizens – must also undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which costs around $ 175 in the United States.
“Once Canada drops its PCR testing requirements, I expect strong pent-up demand for people to head north to Victoria, as we have seen with the ticket booth. closed that happened today, ”said Marc Abshire, executive director of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
The Black Ball Ferry Line brings more than $ 80 million to the regional economy when it transports full loads to and from Canada.
“I think we’ll see a nice bump from the Coho restart – maybe not as much as when the border is fully opened,” Abshire said.
Black Ball predicts that there will be more traffic south than north over the next few months, but like Abshire, is hopeful that removing the PCR test requirement will encourage more travel north.
“We want to be able to continue the daily service, hopefully the next step is that the restrictions will start to decrease so that we can go back to what people are used to, which is ease of travel,” Rian Anderson, vice chairman of said the Black Ball Ferry Line.
X
X
Rian Anderson, Port Angeles District Manager for Black Ball Ferry Line, stands on the foredeck of the MV Coho, which will resume its daily trips through the Juan de Fuca Strait on Monday, 20 months after being moored by restrictions on international borders due to COVID-19[FEMININE
La Chambre de commerce de Port Angeles prévoit un petit départ lors de son départ pour son premier passage à 8h20 et un grand accueil des Canadiens, qui ont vendu le traversier, à midi au terminal des ferries.
“Evil alcohol lover. Twitter junkie. Future teen idol. Reader. Food aficionado. Introvert. Coffee evangelist. Typical bacon enthusiast.”