Travellers need appointment to cross BC-Fort Liard border

Emily Blake·January 21, 2021

A highway patrol mobile command unit at the Enterprise Covid-19 checkpoint in March 2020. Photo: Ron Corey

A highway patrol mobile command unit at a Covid-19 checkpoint in March 2020. Photo: Ron Corey

The NWT government says people wishing to travel between British Columbia and Fort Liard must now make an appointment.

The gate at the border on Highway 7 will be operated by appointment only between 10am and 2pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. The territory said the policy would remain in place until at least January 30.

The gate will not be staffed on those days, except when accommodating appointments.

The NWT government said it was making the change to “free up local resources for the Covid-19 response in Fort Liard.”

Advertisement.

On Wednesday evening the territory confirmed a sixth positive case of Covid-19 in Fort Liard, five days after the hamlet’s first case – related to travel outside the territory – was identified.

Fort Liard’s Covid-19 vaccine clinic began on Thursday morning.

If you live in Fort Liard and need groceries, call the store to place your order for curbside pick-up. For those who may not be able to pay for groceries, Income Support has an arrangement in-place to help – call the hamlet office at 770-4103. #nwtpoli #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/miKBK1tcn4— Caroline Cochrane (@CCochrane_NWT) January 21, 2021

Only commercial vehicles carrying essential supplies and services will be able to enter through the border gate. Any vehicle can make an appointment to leave the territory.

Following Thursday’s announcement, Premier Caroline Cochrane posted on social media that Fort Liard residents needing groceries can call the store to place an oder for curbside pick-up.

To make an appointment, travellers are asked to contact Protect NWT by emailing protectnwt@gov.nt.ca, calling 8-1-1, or calling 1-833-378-8297 from outside the NWT.