Canada is Cracking Down on Alaska Highway Travelers

Canada is cracking down on travelers who bend or outright break the rules on Alaska Highway travel.

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Where restrictions exist, there will always be people who find clever ways to get around them. They may exploit a loophole, or just outright lie. This is that kind of story.

Canada has announced new measures to crack down on the abuse of its “Alaska loophole.” The rule has been in effect since the U.S. and Canada closed their borders to non-essential travel. It allows U.S. citizens to drive the Alaska Highway between the 49th State and the Lower 48. But Americans have apparently been using it for … well, Canadian tourism. Social media reports suggest that at least some Americans had said they were heading to Alaska, only to visit places like Banff National Park.

Closing the Alaska Loophole

Canada’s response is to make cheating a lot more difficult. Starting today, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is cracking down on Alaska Highway travelers. The CBSA will require people driving between the Lower 48 and Alaska to follow these new rules:

• Travelers must enter Canada at one of just five border crossings: 3 in British Columbia, 1 in Alberta, and 1 in Saskatchewan.
• Travelers will be given a “reasonable period” to complete their journey, although the specific length of time remains unspecified.
• Vehicles must display a tag on its rear view mirror, which includes the “leave by” date they’ve been assigned.
• Travelers must take the most direct route between Alaska and the Lower 48 .
• They must confirm their exit with Canada’s border authority before entering the United States.
• No tourism is permitted, and all national parks must be avoided.

In addition, the Yukon has its own restriction. The government allows people transiting the Yukon just 24 hours in the territory. Until now, B.C. and the federal government had no time limit. So “Alaska-bound” travelers could have entered Canada under false pretenses and then just headed to their favorite spots. It’s a clever solution, but it’s also wrong. Covid-19 is bad in the United States, making violations dangerous and disrespectful to Canadians.

Violators face substantial fines of up to $750,000 (CDN). Those penalties jump even further, to $1 million (CDN) and up to three years in prison should the violators actions cause someone to be seriously hurt or killed.

Dealing with Alaska’s Restrictions

There’s another problem once you get to Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy says all visitors will soon need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure for Alaska. Previously, visitors could be tested on arrival or agree to quarantine for 14 days. This new measure takes effect on August 11th and could complicate Alaska Highway travel even further.

I doubt U.S. Customs and Border Patrol would (or even could) enforce that requirement at the border, because it’s a state issue. Nor are they in a position to deny U.S. citizens their right to return to the United States. But once in Alaska, I suppose authorities could detain visitors who arrive without a test. The governor says the state is still working out enforcement details.

Final Thoughts

Canadians have had it with Americans who risk all their good work to contain Covid-19. So Canada’s border agency is cracking down on Alaska Highway travelers.

Those transiting between the Lower 48 and Alaska can no longer waste time. They can’t take the scenic route (although it’s pretty scenic regardless). Travelers must also have a “non-discretionary” reason for going; or once again, the border authorities can deny entry to Canada. They are under no obligation to let Americans cross their borders, even if it’s just to get to another part of the United States.

So have you considered flying? Alaska Airlines has been offering some really low fares on First Class travel, and fares between Seattle and Anchorage are usually always competitive.