Canada opened border to fully vaccinated tourists
Canada is reopening the border to fully vaccinated tourists this summer.
Canada Government’s new policies for immigrants:
- Fully vaccinated U.S. tourists can enter Canada starting 9th August.
- More airports accepting international flights
- India flight ban extended to 21st August.
- Fully vaccinated children of Canadians, and other exempt travellers to have amended quarantine starting 9th August.
- Hotel quarantine policy ending 9th August
- Fully vaccinated tourists from all countries can enter 7th September.
Canada will start accepting U.S. citizens and permanent residents coming from the U.S. as soon as August 9th. That same day, Canada will also be getting rid of the hotel quarantine for all travellers. The border will reopen to fully vaccinated travellers from all countries on September 7th.
Fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to do on-arrival and day eight testing, but they may be subject to random testing at the border.
In order to be considered “fully vaccinated,” travellers must have the recommended dosage of a vaccine approved for use in Canada. The final injection must have been received at least 14 days prior to entry. It does not matter which country travellers got their vaccines from. Currently, Canada accepts the following vaccine manufacturers: Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). All results must be presented in French or English, otherwise border officials will need to see a certified translation.
Before coming to Canada, all documents need to be submitted to the website. All travellers still need a 14-day quarantine plan.
Unvaccinated children
Canada will update the rules for children under age 12 who are not eligible for a vaccine. Starting August 9, unvaccinated dependents of fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to complete the full 14-day quarantine. Instead, they will have to follow public health measures for that amount of time. They will still be subject to all entry and testing requirements, including on-arrival and day eight testing. This includes those travelling from the U.S. for discretionary purposes. Officials also said that come September, when tourists from all countries are allowed to enter, these measures will apply to their unvaccinated children as well.
There is no list of activities that children can and cannot do at this time, but children will have to avoid group settings such as school and daycare in the two-weeks following their arrival to Canada.
Provinces and territories may have their own rules around people who have recently returned from travel. The government says more details will be available in the coming days.
Testing requirements
Starting August 9, Canadian citizens and permanent residents travelling to the U.S. for less than 72 hours can do their pre-entry arrival test in Canada. Meaning, they do not have to take a second test in the U.S. in order to be allowed back in.
Those who have recovered from COVID-19 but continue to test positive can present their test taken between 14 to 180 days prior to arrival. Before, it was just 90 days.
Fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected for on-arrival test.
Proof of vaccination
On August 9, air carriers will verify travellers coming to Canada have submitted their information through ArriveCAN before boarding. Tourists who are not able to show their ArriveCAN receipt will not be allowed to fly. Airlines will accept the receipt either on their mobile device or a printed copy.
In addition to the ArriveCAN receipt, travellers are expected to carry their actual vaccine certificate with them to show officials at the border.
Quarantine based on vaccination
Those who cannot be fully vaccinated due to health conditions may also qualify for eased quarantine requirements, but may be asked to follow a modified quarantine. The government says more details are forthcoming.