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Canada to reopen border to fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9

American tourists can enter Canada as long as they're fully vaccinated, with international tourists permitted to enter as of Sept. 7
20160921 CBSA International Brisge KA 01
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Traffic Building at the Canadian border crossing of the Sault Ste. Marie Internal Bridge. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

Starting Aug. 9, fully vaccinated Americans will be permitted to enter Canada for non-essential reasons.

Americans hoping to travel will have to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to coming into Canada.

On Sept. 7, so long as COVID-19 numbers remain low and vaccine rates remain high, the federal government plans to open Canada's borders to any fully vaccinated travellers with a government-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering the country.

On its website, the federal government explained that, subject to limited exceptions, all travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.

Additionally, effective Aug. 9, 2021, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at the following five additional Canadian airports:

  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
  • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport;
  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport;
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport; and
  • Edmonton International Airport.

The federal government says all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result.

However effective Aug. 9, 2021, the feds will implement a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings. Fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. 

The government has also axed the three-night government authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers arriving by air as of 12:01 A.M. EDT on Aug 9.

Fully vaccinated travellers who meet the requirements will be exempt from quarantine; however, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.


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