Canada to open border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9

[former9thward]

Source: Washington Post

TORONTO — Canada on Monday said it would begin to ease pandemic restrictions at the U.S.-Canada border next month, allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the United States who are fully vaccinated with Canadian-authorized vaccines to enter for nonessential travel without quarantining.

The decision, which takes effect on Aug. 9, follows months of criticism from U.S. lawmakers across the political spectrum, business groups and some travelers over what they said was an overly cautious approach to lifting curbs that have split families, battered the tourism sector and upended life in close-knit border communities.

To be eligible for entry, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents must present a negative covid-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of flight departure or arrival at a land crossing. They will also be required to upload proof that they have received a full series of an authorized coronavirus vaccine at least 14 days before departure to a Canadian government app.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/19/canada-us-border-open/?wpmk=1&wpisrc=al_news__alert-world--alert-national&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&location=alert&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNTk2ZDViYWFhZGU0ZTIwN2QyOTZhYmVlIiwidGFnIjoid3BfbmV3c19hbGVydF9yZXZlcmUiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vd29ybGQvMjAyMS8wNy8xOS9jYW5hZGEtdXMtYm9yZGVyLW9wZW4vP3dwbWs9MSZ3cGlzcmM9YWxfbmV3c19fYWxlcnQtd29ybGQtLWFsZXJ0LW5hdGlvbmFsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YWxlcnQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249d3BfbmV3c19hbGVydF9yZXZlcmUmbG9jYXRpb249YWxlcnQifQ.aFO2EBwDBpFRK9iSj5PV9rOu049Ghv4h6ROFUtNUHfg

[riverbendviewgal]

1. I am very unhappy

I want it closed/ its scary for us to have the hoard of covid spreaders

[IronLionZion]

2. Build a wall

I'd feel safer heading north to Canada for vacation than many red US states.

[zuul]

3. I don't blame you. I think they will regret this decision pretty soon.

[zuul]

4. Congratulations! You just hit 4,000 posts!

[riverbendviewgal]

10. Thank you

I didn't know that

[Lasher]

6. But they have to be fully vaccinated.

And they have to present a negative covid-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours. So that would exclude the anti-vaxxers from entry, right?

[Marigold]

5. Common Sense Should Prevail

I understand Canadians reluctance to suddenly allow hordes of travelers coming from the US, especially when you see what is going on with the vax deniers, and the incredible ignorance in general. However, my husband and I are US citizens who own and pay Canadian taxes on a family vacation condo in Quebec. We have not been able to access the property since our last visit in January of 2020. We live in New England and have been fully vaccinated since April. Exceptions should have been made for families and property owners. This could have been done in a stepped up manner, and re-evaluated as the border was slowly opened. Essential travelers such as truckers and hockey teams were ok to cross the border though.

My biggest concern now is actually getting Covid test results within 72 hours of traveling. No testing facility will guarantee anything other than 3-5 days, with results usually coming in 1-2, but no promise. I would imagine this further hoop to jump through will stem the tide a bit also.

[Mrsfiddlegirl]

7. Agree

I was hoping too that they would only open to U.S. residents who own property in Canada and are fully vaccinated. Homeowners should have been allowed back sooner, but I really have reservations about opening the floodgates to all. I know that sounds entitled, but my dear Nova Scotia has worked so hard to keep the number of infections down.

I'm a retired teacher from U.S. and have owned my little home in Nova Scotia for 25 years. It's my main home to me, I rent in Mexico in the winters. I've been in Mexico since fall of 2019 now. I just booked a flight "home" for August 11, but this has been torture. We are lucky here that testing is really accessible, I hope you get yours. Slainte!

[George II]

8. I've been waiting for this. I hope it doesn't backfire or get rescinded....

....I haven't been up to visit family since 2018. In 2019 I had to cancel because of back and joint issues. Early last year I made plans and reservations to go up in June but we all know how that worked out.

[luvtheGWN]

9. The most difficult thing for American visitors (besides a timely Covid test)

will be to don a mask indoors, just as we having been doing all along. My tourist townfolk are concerned about this, while at the same time looking forward to our American friends. Just last Friday we've actually been able to enter a restaurant (with mask which we can take off to eat, drink of course). But nearly every restaurant has an outdoor patio, fortunately!

[BlueWavePsych]

11. Interesting procedure ...

To enter Canada, travelers must have received their full series of a vaccine — approved by Health Canada — at least 14 days prior to their arriving at the border.

The approved vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Canadian officials say they are actively studying whether to eventually accept individuals who received doses of other vaccines.

Those arriving in Canada must provide evidence of their vaccination in English, French or a certified translation in addition to the original. Travelers will also be required to upload Covid-related information, including proof of vaccination, through the ArriveCan app or web portal before departure to Canada.

Fully vaccinated visitors must also be asymptomatic upon arrival and meet pre-entry screening requirements, including a new border program that randomly selects people to complete a Covid test the day of their arrival.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/19/canada-reopen-border-500158

In lieu of actual vaccine passports the border guards will be God!

With ArriveCan app screening, only 10/64K were detected positive. 100% of random samples can be tested for variants.

[Worried2020]

12. Aw hell, let's bring on a 4th Wave/Spike . . .

.

Were "opening up", relaxing restrictions, and then school in a month and a half - yeehaw!

Enuf on that -

I dunno what all is available to our Southern neighbors, or in other nations -

but the vaccinated must be vaccinated with a vaccine that Canada has authorized -

Any vaccine other than ones authorized for Canadians are not acceptable.

Info on our "Authorized Vaccines" at link below - updated JUly 16th 2021.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/vaccines.html

W

[Chakaconcarne]

13. Tourists do not fall into this category being allowed to come into Canada

My guess.... is late 2022.