TUESDAY December 22, 2020: 'LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS' from ZUMA Press award winning photographer David Tesinsky who specializes in sub-cultures, social topics and tells the stories that need to be told for ZUMA Wire Service: It started, for Julie Arps (American) and Lynt Harris (Canadian) like many modern relationships do, with a smile and then a swipe. But the fairy tale ended when the coronavirus pandemic forced the Canada and U.S. governments to close the land borders to all nonessential visitors. When Julie first messaged Lynt on the dating app 'Plenty of Fish', the world around them was growing increasingly unrecognizable due to the pandemic. Currently, Canada prohibits most foreigners from entering the country for nonessential travel. The government relaxed the rules to allow foreigners who do not have COVID-19 to visit immediate family in Canada, including spouses and common-law partners. Now thousands of unmarried committed couples are demanding Canada's government give them exemption from the travel restrictions too. Welcome to: 'LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #767: TUESDAY December 22, 2020: 'LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS' from ZUMA Press award winning photographer David Tesinsky who specializes in sub-cultures, social topics and tells the stories that need to be told for ZUMA Wire Service: It started, for Julie Arps (American and Lynt Harris (Canadian like many modern relationships do, with a smile and then a swipe. But the fairy tale ended when the coronavirus pandemic forced the Canada and U.S. governments to close the land borders to all nonessential visitors. When Julie first messaged Lynt on the dating app 'Plenty of Fish', the world around them was growing increasingly unrecognizable due to the pandemic. Currently, Canada prohibits most foreigners from entering the country for nonessential travel. The government relaxed the rules to allow foreigners who do not have COVID-19 to visit immediate family in Canada, including spouses and common-law partners. Now thousands of unmarried committed couples are demanding Canada's government give them exemption from the travel restrictions too. Welcome to: 'LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS'
Along a ditch that separates the U.S. from Canada, a very 2020 romance is taking root. JULIE ARPS (American) and LYNT HARRIS (Canadian) were meeting for months on the invisible border of USA and Canada where they've been having dates but staying apart. The Peace Arch Park is unique, a green space in which both U.S. and Canadian citizens can co-mingle, as long as they don't cross the park's perimeter into the other country.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
A red deck chair sits amid grass and weeds on the US side of the border and a steel post marks the Canadian province of British Columbia just a few feet away.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
JULIE ARPS in the U.S. and her boyfriend LYNT HARRIS sits in Canada, the couple live on opposite sides of the border, and yearn to visit each other's homes. For now they make do with dates at the British Columbia-Washington state border.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
A couple reach out to touch hands across the invisible U.S. - Canada border. Couples are meeting on the borders of USA and Canada but cross border travel is limited due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
JULIE and LYNT holding hands at the border park where they meet. On April 12, when Julie Arps first messaged Lynt Harris on dating app Plenty of Fish, the world around them was growing increasingly unrecognizable due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
Holding hands internationally across the U.S.-Canada border, LYNT and JULIE meet regularly for dates at a unique park that allows them to be together as long as they do not leave the park border.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
GPS map app inside a car driving along 'The 49th Parallel' on the Canadian side of the border - on the left is the U.S. state of Washington.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
Some couples separated by the U.S.- Canada border since the closure in March, managed to meet at a border-straddling park, while others are uncertain about when they will see each other again.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
Lovers JULIE (US) and LYNT (Canada) were meeting for months on the invisible border of USA and Canada where they've been having dates. Before the virus came along, neither of them thought of the U.S.-Canada border as much of an obstacle.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
Happy together lovers JULIE and LYNT holding hands in the Peace Arch Park. The park is unique, a green space in which U.S. and Canadian citizens can co-mingle, as long as they don't cross the park's perimeter into the other country.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
JULIE and LYNT kiss at the Peace Arch Park a 'no-mans land' on the 49th parallel between the U.S. and Canada where couples can meet during Coronavirus times.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
JULIE and LYNT hold hands and walk around the international Peace Park. 'I'm obviously really devoted to Jules, so I keep a smile on my face. Eventually things will open up' says Lynt.
© David TesinskyZUMA Wire
