Canada will reopen to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents next month.
“On August 9, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the United States (U.S.), currently residing in the U.S., will be permitted to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel,” Canada said in a statement.
A COVID-19 vaccination must be complete at least 14 days prior to entry.
Children under the age of 12 or who are not yet eligible for vaccination in the U.S. or unvaccinated dependent children will be allowed to enter the country with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, tutor or guardian who is eligible to enter Canada.
Entry to the country will be denied to U.S. travelers who are not fully vaccinated and all other foreign nationals.
On Sept. 7, Canada intends to allow fully vaccinated travelers from any country to enter “provided that Canada’s COVID-19 epidemiology remains favourable.”
Canada leads G-20 countries in vaccination rates, with approximately 80% of eligible Canadians vaccinated with their first dose and over 50% of those eligible fully vaccinated.
Travelers who wish to enter must have a vaccine that is accepted by the government of Canada, which includes the Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines, and they must be able to show proof of vaccine in English or French or with a certified translation in addition to the original copy.
There are additional requirements to enter Canada, including that travelers must:
— Provide COVID-19 related information such as proof of vaccine through ArriveCAN’s app or web portal before departing for Canada.
— Meet pre-entry testing requirements.
— Be asymptomatic when arriving.
— Submit a quarantine plan.
— Be ready to quarantine if necessary.
On Aug. 9, the government will also implement other COVID-19 travel-related changes. For domestic and international flights, airlines will no longer be required to take the temperature of boarding passengers, and the required three-night, government subsidized hotel stays for travelers arriving by air will be eliminated, too. A quarantine requirement for children under 12 will also be removed.
The country also announced plans to open its waters to cruise ships starting Nov. 1.
Land border restrictions on nonessential travel between Canada and the U.S. have been in place since March 2020, and in June were extended through July 21.
It is unclear when the U.S. will lift restrictions.
“To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the United States extended restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through July 21, while ensuring access for essential trade & travel,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement provided Monday by DHS spokesperson Angelo Fernández.
“DHS also notes positive developments in recent weeks and is participating with other U.S. agencies in the White House’s expert working groups with Canada and Mexico to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably,” the DHS statement continued.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, who said he spoke with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday, said the U.S. has not yet indicated any plan to change current restrictions at the land border. Canadians are able to fly into the United States with a negative COVID-19 test.
Asked in Washington if the U.S. would reciprocate, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: “We are continuing to review our travel restrictions. Any decisions about resuming travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. … I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention.”
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