New Directive for cross-border workers and students

02/18/2021

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) is informing the community of Directive 58, for Kahnawa’kehró:non who enter the United States for periods longer than 24 hours, for work or educational purposes. Despite Canada allowing exemptions from testing and/or isolation for specific cross-border workers, the Task Force is requiring that all workers who cross into the US for periods of longer than 24 hours must isolate for 14 days upon return.

You may be exempt from isolation measures in Kahnawake provided that:

• You have proof of a negative PCR test (lab test) result within 72 hours of crossing the border (Rapid Tests are not accepted)
• If you have proof of a weekly negative PCR test
• There may be other limited work-related scenarios where an exemption may be provided.

Cross border workers are being asked to provide clear proof of work to assist in their passage through the border.  

If you DO NOT have proof of a negative test within 72 hours or a negative weekly screening you must isolate for 14 days.

Those travelling to the United States on day trips for work, medical appointments, to pick up prescription medication or for child custody arrangements are exempt from mandatory testing and isolation, provided they travel directly from home to their intended destination, without stopping to pick up groceries, goods or mail. All other non-essential travel will, regardless of length of stay, require a mandatory 14-day self-isolation upon returning to Kahnawà:ke.

You will be required to show valid proof of employment to border agents when crossing.

If you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19, you must follow all isolation and testing protocols at all times and despite exemptions.  

Anyone who is deemed to be in contravention of this Directive will be subject to enforcement by the Kahnawake Peacekeepers.

This Directive has been put in place to help minimize the spread of the virus within our community, and help protect our most vulnerable . Working as a community, we can limit and manage the spread of COVID-19.

All Task Force Directives currently in effect can be viewed at http://covid-19.kmhc.ca/2020/04/22/directives.