Update Tuesday11:45 AM: The Canadian Border Services Agency announced late Tuesday morning that the Coutts port of entry has reopened.
The RCMP says traffic in the area is moving slowly, so those that are able to are encouraged to still avoid the area.
Following the arrest of 13 people associated with the protest and the invoking of the Emergencies Act by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, protesters began leaving the area on Monday afternoon and were continuing to leave as of Tuesday morning.
The CBC reports that three of those arrested have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
The Sweetgrass port for those entering the U.S. is also open.
COUTTS, Alberta (NMB) – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have announced that 11 individuals protesting near the Coutts border crossing were arrested and detained on Monday morning following an investigation into a report of a small group within the protest that had firearms and ammunition.
Items seized after a search warrant was executed on three trailers include 13 long guns, multiple handguns and sets of body armor, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition, and high capacity magazines.
A press release from the RCMP says the group was willing to use force against police if there was an attempt to disrupt the blockade, adding that a large farm tractor and a semi involved in the blockade attempted to ram a police vehicle on Sunday evening. The farm tractor and semi truck were seized by police.
The RCMP says they are resuming efforts to end the blockade and reopen the border. They are encouraging everyone involved in the blockade to leave immediately or relocate to a designated site for a legal protest.
Coutts border crossing into Alberta from Montana remained closed as of Monday morning as a blockade of truckers and others protesting COVID regulations in Canada entered a third week
Demonstrations at the border began on January 29th. The Canadian port of Coutts remains closed to traffic. While the American port of Sweetgrass is open, access to it may not be possible due to the blockade.
The Coutts/Sweetgrass crossing is the only 24/7 port between Alberta and Montana.
Those looking to travel to or from Canada should continue to seek an alternate route.
