Canada to reopen the border for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers

Canadian authorities announced that, starting next month, US citizens fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter Canada for non-essential travel.

According to an official update from the Public Health Agency of Canada, on August 9, 2021, Americans who have completed regimens of approved vaccines can enter the country for discretionary travel if they can provide proof of vaccination and meet several other criteria.

Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for U.S. travelers who are not fully vaccinated and for all other foreign nationals, unless they have already met an exemption set out in the Orders made under the Quarantine Act.

Unvaccinated American children under the age of 12 will also be allowed entry after Aug. 9 if accompanied by a qualified parent or adult guardian.

The Canadian government has also said it intends to open its borders further from Sept. 7, when it will allow fully vaccinated travelers from any country to enter Canada, provided they can prove they were immunized at least 14 days prior to entry.

Authorities warned that both moves are strictly dependent on the “domestic epidemiologic situation” remaining favorable.

“Canadians’ safety and security always come first. With rising vaccination rates and fewer cases in Canada, we can begin to safely ease border measures. A gradual approach to reopening will allow our health authorities to monitor the COVID-19 situation here and abroad. Canadians have worked hard and sacrificed for each other, and because of that work, we can take these next steps safely,” said Patty Hajdu, Canadian Minister of Health.

If the new rules are implemented as scheduled, non-essential travel between the US and Canada could resume for the first time since the early stages of the pandemic in March 2020.