That’s it: After 19 long months of closure, the United States will reopen its land border to non-essential travel by doubly vaccinated Canadians. And what about air travel? What vaccines will be accepted? Here’s everything you need to know before traveling to the United States.
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We still do not know the date of entry into force of these new reliefs. This reopening is scheduled for “early November,” announced the US Department of Homeland Security.
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, traveling to the United States, said a date would be set with the US government.
The border with Mexico will also be reopened.
Whoever wants to the United States will not enter. To cross the border, Canadian travelers will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, that is, they will need to have received both doses.
Any reason (even non-essential) will be good to cross the border, whether it’s to visit friends or family or for a sightseeing getaway.
Since August, the Canadian border has been reopened to travelers from the United States who are fully vaccinated.
From November 1, the United States will lift the restrictions in place since March 2020 on international travel for people who have been vaccinated.
In addition to showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination, travelers will need to get tested within three days of their trip to the United States and wear a mask, the Home Pandemic Coordinator said. -White, Jeff Zients.
For vaccinated international travelers, a negative test is required before boarding a plane to go to the United States.
From November, double vaccination will be mandatory for non-essential travel, but not for so-called “essential” trips, which have always been authorized.
In January, however, double vaccination will be required for all trips, essential or not. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Washington says the delay leaves “ample time” for workers who have to cross the border, such as truck drivers, to get the vaccine properly.
Travelers are considered fully vaccinated in the United States two weeks after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and two weeks after receiving the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, read on the site of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
All vaccines approved by the FDA (US Medicines Agency) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted for air travel.
Quebecers who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine will therefore be able to start traveling to the United States again, even if the latter has not been approved by the FDA.
It is still unclear whether Canadians who have received different doses of vaccines will be accepted.
– With AFP and the QMI Agency
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