Canada Intends to Reopen the Border with the United States

According to Bloomberg, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has begun working on reopening the Canada-US border.

However, talks are just getting underway, and reopening the border could be some time off.

One solution would be to implement a new system that would enable vaccinated citizens to travel between the two countries without COVID-19 testing or the 14-day quarantine. According to an anonymous source who spoke to Bloomberg, this is being discussed.

This is consistent with Health Minister Patty Hajdu’s statement that Canada is exploring the use of “vaccine passports,” which would enable vaccinated people to fly. Some barriers must be overcome first, such as adequate precautions for those vaccinated with vaccines that Health Canada has not approved.

Trudeau has stated that Canada is collaborating with the European Union to coordinate its strategies. The European Union is also working to eliminate internal travel restrictions.

In an attempt to halt the spread of COVID-19, the Canada-US border was closed in March 2020, and only necessary travel was permitted. The border closure had an economic impact on Canada, as predicted. The tourism and airline industries were particularly hard hit.

The border will be reopened gradually, depending on the number of COVID-19 cases in both countries.

The third wave of the COVID pandemic has struck Canada harder than the United States. This is because the rollout of a vaccine in Canada has been slowed due to supply problems. Trudeau has stated that Canadians will most likely be entirely immunised by September. However, Canada’s vaccine programme has gained traction in recent weeks, and the country now has one of the highest vaccination rates per capita among OECD countries.

What do travellers required to do?

Travel restrictions for all nations, including the United States, are extended later this week, at least until the reopening is finalised.

Just four airports in Canada will continue to welcome international flights: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Travellers to Canada who are excluded from the travel restrictions will be expected to show proof of a COVID-19 examination taken within 72 hours of arrival. They will also be subjected to another test upon arrival, as well as three days of quarantine in a government-approved hotel while they await their results.

In addition, travellers must adhere to the 14-day quarantine requirement. The three-day hotel stay can be applied to your quarantine time. On the eighth day, travellers must take their third and final COVID-19 exam.

Quarantine would not be needed for essential travellers. This involves first responders, truck drivers, specific technicians or experts, others who live in a trans-border environment, and others who cross the border regularly for work.

Who is permitted to fly to Canada?

Only a limited number of citizens are permitted to enter Canada before the border is reopened. Canadian nationals and permanent residents, as well as their family members, are among those eligible.

Any temporary foreign employees and international students enrolled in a learning institution with a COVID-19 preparation plan are also excluded from the travel restrictions.

Protected persons and those travelling to Canada for humanitarian purposes are also excluded. Visit this government website for a complete list of who can fly to Canada.

In all circumstances, Canadian border officers have the final say on who enters the country.