Canadians will be able to get shots in drive-through format without entering U.S. territory
The Blackfeet Nation announced the clinic’s cancellation after the Canadian and U.S. government determined that exemptions to border restrictions that allowed people to cross for medical reasons do not apply to vaccine appointments. The notice from the Blackfoot Confederacy did not explain what had changed to allow the vaccine clinic to resume.
In Alaska, Governor Mike Dunleavy has offered COVID-19 vaccines to residents of Stewart, B.C., with hopes it could lead the Canadian government to ease restrictions between that town and the Alaska border community of Hyder, located just over the border. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau said this medical exemption was introduced for Canadians seeking “life-saving medical treatment outside of Canada on a regular basis,” not for Canadians seeking COVID-19 vaccinations in foreign countries. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency also said crossing the border for COVID-19 vaccinations is not permitted under current travel restrictions.