Canada now has a return date for tourism due to rising vaccination rates and a reduction in COVID-19 cases. The government has said it will welcome vaccinated American visitors on August 6 and open its borders to travelers from all countries on September 7, provided the number of patients remains low.
“As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who currently reside in the United States and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for individuals, who do not have “important travel”, – government officials declared on Monday.
“This preparatory phase allows the Government of Canada to fully implement the adjusted border measures by September 7, 2021 and recognizes the close ties between Canadians and Americans.”
To be eligible for entry into Canada, visitors must receive the last dose of vaccine at least 14 days before departure. Accepted vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson. Travelers must upload vaccination evidence and test results to the ArriveCan app before boarding a flight to Canada.
They will also be required to provide proof of an approved negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure. From 9 August, officials will not require re-tests upon arrival from fully vaccinated travelers unless they are randomly selected for a health check.
The Canadian border has been closed to many Americans and foreign tourists since March 2020. But now Canada is ready to open its doors after months of delays have made progress in deploying vaccination. According to Canada’s official vaccine controller, 50% of the eligible vaccine population is fully vaccinated and 69% have received at least one dose.
“The safety of Canadians always comes first. As the number of vaccinations increases and the number of cases in Canada decreases, we can begin to safely ease border measures, ”said Patti Hyde, Secretary of Health. “A gradual approach to the discovery will allow our health authorities to monitor the situation with COVID-19 here and abroad.”
On July 5, Canada began easing some of its strict border rules by allowing fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents entering Canada for minor purposes, as well as foreign nationals traveling to Canada for approved or important purposes, to skip hotel quarantine.
According to the updated system, these arrivals must still comply with certain public health measures, including proof of complete vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result before the trip, as well as a second test upon arrival by 9 August.
While Canada is preparing to open its borders to its neighbors in August, the U.S. government has not yet announced plans to extend or change its own restrictions on the border with Canada.