The Alaskan governor is requesting a relaxation of border restrictions between Alaska and Canada for “snowbirds” travelling south for the winter.

“Some specific issues (are) severely impacting our constituents as the border crossing restrictions due to COVID-19 continue,” states a letter dated Oct. 21.

The letter is addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, two federal ministers, Premier Sandy Silver and B.C. Premier John Horgan.

It’s signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, two U.S. senators and a U.S. representative. 

It requests that Alaskans who travel south for the winter be permitted to transit through Canada as essential travellers.

“They travel south because Alaska’s winter can be harsh, complicating underlying medical conditions,” the letter says.

“Their winter homes in the ‘Lower 48’ are closer to comprehensive medical facilities which are better equipped to address their healthcare needs.”

The letter notes that many of these Alaskans travelling south are seniors who require medical care unavailable in the rural North.

“We submit that such travel is essential for these senior citizens, as well as for the health and safety of broader populations in regions where access to healthcare is limited,” the letter says.

The state would require that Alaskan travellers present a negative COVID-19 test before entering Canada, the letter suggests.

It adds that Canada currently has travel requirements, including limited time to move from border to border, which already limit contact between Alaskans and Canadians.

“We are certain Alaskans journeying south would respect any conditions your government sets for them as they undertake passage through Canada.”

The letter also requests a “travel bubble” to be granted between the Alaskan community of Hyder and the B.C. community of Stewart.

The two towns straddle the U.S.-Canada border, and existed as one community before this year’s border lockdown.

The letter explains that many of Hyder’s utilities and grocery needs are located in Stewart.

Hyder children are unable to attend their school in Stewart, and families are barred from visiting one another.

A travel bubble would allow Hyder residents to access family, essential supplies, schooling, medical care and religious services, the letter argues.

“The current travel restrictions are having an increasingly negative impact on these communities,” the letter says.

NDP Leader Kate White brought the letter to the legislative question period on Monday.

“Just today, Alaska announced 349 new cases of COVID-19 as well as one additional death,” White said.

“The prospect of increased travel from Alaska has many Yukoners concerned, especially those living in communities along the Alaska Highway corridor.”

Premier Sandy Silver said he hasn’t been contacted directly about this request for a border relaxation, but has previously spoken with Alaskan officials about other one-off border requests.

“I informed the Alaska government at that time that those decisions are made at the federal level and that we will pass our concerns on to the federal government in that capacity,” Silver said.

John Streicker, the minister of Community Services, noted that Alaskan travellers passing through Yukon have not brought COVID-19 to the territory.

He said that about 40,000 Americans have passed through the territory since restrictions came into place.

“We don’t know yet of a single case of COVID being transferred,” Streicker said.