Canada to open its border to vaccinated US citizens after 16-month ban

Canada – Americans are now able to say hey to Canada, eh!

The US-Canada border has been closed for all non-essential travel for 16 months.
The US-Canada border has been closed for all non-essential travel for 16 months.  © Collage: 123RF/savvapanf & jaboy

US citizens can now visit their northern neighbor once again!

Canada is set to reopen its border starting next month after a 16-month closure to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.

From August 9, residents and citizens of the US will be allowed to enter Canada, provided they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least two weeks beforehand.

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"Thanks to the hard work of Canadians, rising vaccination rates and declining Covid-19 cases, the government of Canada is able to move forward with adjusted border measures," the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement on Monday.

The vaccination campaign in Canada started slow compared to that of the US, but picked up speed. Around 69% of the 38 million Canadians have received at least one vaccine dose so far, and almost 44% are fully vaccinated.

The closure of the 5,524-mile border to non-essential trade and traffic in March 2020 separated family members and disrupted the close links shared by communities on either side.

Starting September 7, all citizens of other countries should also be allowed to enter Canada, provided they are fully protected from the disease by vaccines.

Visitors would then have to enter their travel data and personal information on an internet portal before arrival, however, a quarantine should not be necessary.

Cover photo: Collage: 123RF/savvapanf & jaboy

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