Canada Allows Non-Essential Travel for Fully Vaccinated Americans

A car approaches one of the few lanes open at the Peace Arch border crossing into the United States in Blaine, Wash., on June 8, 2021. Elaine Thompson/AP Photo

The Canadian government on Aug. 9 lifted restrictions on fully vaccinated Americans who want to cross the border for non-essential travel in the country.

American citizens and permanent residents who currently reside in the United States must provide “proof of vaccination” documentation in English or French and a negative CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus test result that’s no more than 72 hours old or a previous positive test result that was taken between 14 and 180 days before departure to cross the border, the Public Health Agency said.

U.S. travelers are also required to have been fully vaccinated with a government-approved COVID-19 vaccine for at least 14 days before making the trip.

Canada considers “fully vaccinated” as having received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the government. Currently, the required vaccines in the country are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Covishield, and Johnson & Johnson.

Lastly, travelers are also required to use the ArriveCAN app or online web portal to upload their vaccination and test result details.

In a statement issued on July 19, officials said that effective on Aug. 9, international passenger flights will be permitted to land at nine Canadian airports:

• Edmonton International Airport
• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport
• Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

Americans who have been fully vaccinated may also enter Canada at a number of land border crossings.

A car heads into the United States from Canada at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Wash., on June 8, 2021. Elaine Thompson/AP Photo

While travelers have to register, the Canada Border Services Agency won’t say how many people they are expecting to enter Canada for the reopening. But travelers should plan for the possibility of additional processing time at the border.

“CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times,” agency spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said in a statement.

As far as returning to the United States from Canada, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jason Givens said there’s no requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

“CBP officers have been processing essential travel throughout the pandemic and remain ready and able to process American citizens and permanent residents returning from Canada,” Givens told The Associated Press by email.

U.S. officials have announced that they will extend its closure to all Canadians making non-essential trips until at least Aug. 21, which also applies to the Mexican border. The U.S.–Canada border had been closed to all non-essential travel since March 2020.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News