I crossed the U.S. border during COVID-19 to drop my daughter off at college. Here’s what happened

I may have come in contact with the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Canadian government has warned me. They say I could face a $1-million fine or jail time if I do not comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Like many Canadians, my family and I have been trying to keep far away from the virus, so much so that our whole world has changed.

Back in March, before the border closed, before everyone was in lockdown, my husband and I prepared ourselves for a weekend trip to Michigan.

The trip began as an exciting few days of visiting friends and tailgating at our daughter's first lacrosse home game of the season. Then it morphed into a rescue mission" when the NCAA DII season was cancelled. On the news, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was telling Canadians abroad to return. We needed to get out of the United States. So we brought her back to Canada to keep her safe.

That was five months ago.

Now, the trip across the border to take her back to school is today's reality.

We had a lot of questions about crossing the border and here is what we found out:

• Only one of us could go with her.

U.S. border protection advised us only one parent was permitted to drive the student to school and cross the border with them and only if the student couldn't drive themselves. If we both wanted to take her, we would have to fly.

• Travel for education is deemed essential.

It was not an easy decision to send her back to a U.S. school after hearing all the horror stories on the news and in social media. The COVID numbers remain through the roof in the U.S. and the government has just extended the border closure for non-essential travel until Sept. 21.

I felt at ease with some of the measures taken by the school and her lacrosse coaching staff to help curb the spread of the virus including online classes, sanitizing and reduced classroom attendance.

The same protocols are being done here at home when our public schools go back. The governor of Michigan closed down bars and made masks mandatory as well.

I drove to her campus and came back in one day. It was a 12-hour drive, round trip.

I thought the border would be empty. No so much. Trucks were just as backed up as usual, in a long line over the bridge. The cars were missing. U.S. customs only had one car crossing booth open and it was all ours. Not a cross-border shopper in sight.

We slipped across without any fuss.

Surprisingly, they didn't ask if we were sick. While the agents were wearing masks and gloves, they didn't instruct us to quarantine.

Coming home to Canada was another experience altogether.

We did our research. I was prepared but it was something else to hear it from the Canadian Border Services officer.

You can be fined $1 million," was the first thing I heard.

My previous experience with Canadian border officers usually included a little banter, a friendly smile. Welcome home.

Not this time.

No grocery shopping. Someone will have to do that for you," he added. And then, to be certain I understood he meant business, I was told I could also go to jail if I broke quarantine.

Oh, yes officer.

No going for a walk. No visitors to the house. They took my address and contact phone number. I was told I would be monitored and need to verify my compliance.

The Canadian government isn't fooling around.

They want to know where you are, who you are with and just how you are handling your living situation.

I got a phone call from Dawn, from the Canadian government. She asked the questions, confirmed where I was and who I was with. All in keeping with the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation) No. 3.

In a recent column by Luisa D'Amato she said she felt the heavy hand of the Canadian government as never before." I share the feeling. I've crossed the border many times before and it's always seemed to be a nicety. Banter between neighbours instead of we will be in contact with you" and you must swear to tell the truth.

As I drove away from the Canadian border crossing and back to my Hamilton home, I couldn't help but glance at the rear-view. I swear I was followed. An SUV, seemingly out of nowhere, stayed behind me for several highway exits before falling away.

My husband laughed. No one followed you," he teased. But he didn't see the SUV, or feel the steel stare from the border agent. When I think about it, it does make me feel better. Better about the world turning inside out.

Sometimes we have to do things we are not comfortable with and I know that Canada is doing a good job handling the pandemic. Making sure I am being safe for my fellow citizens is taking care of me too. Canada has my back.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com