There hasn’t been a single recorded case of COVID-19 in Point Roberts since the pandemic started 11 months ago. Now a vaccination clinic will soon commence.
On Friday, the Washington State Department of Health approved an application by SuperTrack Urgent Care to receive vaccine for inoculation of the residents of Point Roberts.
Dates are still to be finalized with the vaccinations taking place at the Point Roberts Clinic.
“This is a big and welcome milestone in getting daily life back on a more normal footing. We are subject to regulations, guidelines, and the availability of vaccine from week to week. We will keep you posted regularly as we move forward,” said Barbara Wayland, Superintendent of the Point Roberts Public Health District, in a prepared statement. “We must ask for your patience on getting further information.”
Meanwhile, Delta’s MP reiterated helping the isolated US community remains a high priority.
Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, spoke to Optimist editor Ian Jacques last week for a taping of Eastlink TV’s current affairs program On Topic.
Businesses that rely on Canadian customers have suffered greatly since the Canada/US border was closed to non-essential travel back in March. Vacation property owners from the Lower Mainland are also frustrated they haven’t been able to get to their homes since the closure.
“I know how dear the community of Point Roberts is to South Delta and the close relationship we have,” said Qualtrough. “I can assure you that since the very beginning I have been trying to find ways for our communities to support each other through this crisis. I’m in regular contact with our Minister of Public Safety and our Health Ministry, U.S. government officials and state representatives, the Prime Minister is speaking with President Biden on border restrictions.
“In some ways we could focus on Canadians, so making sure Canadians can get home, living in Point Roberts can access medical care, children can go to school in Delta. We had issues with our volunteer firefighters who come from South Delta, so we really focused on Canadians, but the reality is, the Americans are in dire straits down there, businesses are closing.”
Qualtrough added the federal government has to have the Provincial Health Authority on board to loosen the current border restrictions.
“For now, both (BC Health Minister) Adrian Dix and (BC Health Officer) Dr. Bonnie Henry are not prepared to lift restrictions at the border because of their concerns over transmission,” she said.
“I think there are ways we can do this and I’m making sure this remains top of consideration. Eventually we will see some loosening of the border restrictions and Point Roberts has to be top of mind.”
