Update, 8/9: Canada is now open to most Americans citizens and permanent residents for the first time since last March, for entry via air or land borders. You can find estimated wait times at border entry points here.
The US land border remains closed to Canadians through at least August 21st, but the air border to Canadians has never closed and remains open.
If you travel to Canada, let us know how it goes!
Canada will finally be open its borders to fully vaccinated US citizens on August 9th who have completed the full course of Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines 2 weeks before entering the country.
Canada’s borders have been closed since March 2020.
- Fully vaccinated Americans with their vaccination cards will not have to quarantine. You must have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada. In other words if your last dose was on August 1st, you can’t enter Canada until August 16th.
- Acceptable vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson.
- Beware that providing false information will make you subject to heavy fines and charges.
- You will need to provide information to ArriveCAN before entry or boarding a flight to Canada. You will need to upload proof of vaccination, test results, and a valid quarantine plan if your documentation doesn’t qualify for entry. At the border you’ll need the ArriveCAN receipt, proof of vaccination, and COVID test results.
- Unvaccinated minors younger than 12 traveling with vaccinated US parents will not have to quarantine.
- All travelers 5 years of age or older arriving by land or air into Canada will need to provide a COVID-19 PCR/NAAT test from within the past 72 hours before boarding time of your flight into Canada or before your land entry time. That includes the Abbott IDNOW test which doesn’t require a deep nose swab. I took that test from Walgreens for free before traveling to Hawaii and had my results back in just 2 hours. Note that Canada does not accept antigen/telehealth test results.
- Americans that are flying to the US will need a COVID-19 PCR/NAAT/antigen test from within the past 4 days. A Telehealth antigen test is acceptable for entry into the US. If your test in the US is within 4 days of your flight back, then the one test will cover your flight to Canada and back. In other words if you get tested on Sunday, fly to Canada on Monday, and fly back to the US on Wednesday, you can use the same test result for both your outbound and return flight!
- Americans that drive across the border to the US do not need to provide a negative COVID test.
International travelers should be able to enter Canada beginning September 7th, but that’s subject to change based on the COVID situation.
Will you travel to Canada?
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82 Comments On "[Update: Border Is Now Open!] Canada Is Set To Open Borders To The US On August 9th, Here’s What You Need To Know!"
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It’s great news, and I would love to go for Sukkos, haven’t seen my parents in almost two years, but spending serious money on flights and not knowing if the rules will change is so risky. (All 12+ are vaccinated). Sigh….
if your parents live in canada you can go now
the week after the Tosher Rebbe’s Yahrzeit!
Can non-US citizens/permanent residents currently in the US also enter Canada? I.e., someone in the US on a student visa?
Anyone?
US citizens and green card holders only
How are you sure the IDNOW test will suffice? The Walgreens website calls it a rapid test and I thought that Canada does not accept rapid tests.
No, Canada doesn’t accept (rapid) antigen tests, they do accept (rapid) NAAT tests, which include IDNOW.
What is the advantage of the IDNOW over the standard PCR test that is free at CVS? Results have been coming in after 24 hours for those.
Because IDNOW is less than 2 hours?
And IDNOW doesn’t require a deep swipe.
Didn’t realize there was a difference in the type of swab- that alone is worth it to spare my kids.
Do you know if they are already allowing that test now, or if it will only be allowed when the easing of restrictions takes effect on August 9? Might use it for our trip up this weekend (I am Canadian).
They have always accepted NAAT.
Thanks for the info!
CMIIW, but looks like the Walgreens by us at Cedar/Warrensville doesn’t do them. Can I ask which branch you used?
CLE Heights.
And Bec IDNOW is a drive thru “Do it yourself” swab… So not only does it not require a Deep swipe…
CVS’s 24 hour PCR test is also a do it yourself from the car and also not a deep swab. Granted, Walgreens ID NOW is better because it is faster, but not all walgreens have IDNOW.
Make sure if you go to walgreens you select the RED DOT (ID NOW)….they also have an antigen test in some locations — that will NOT be accepted
What is the cost of these “do it yourself” tests at the USA drug stores? I plan to be in northern New England is September and am thinking of nipping in to Canada if the cost and hassle are modest enough.
Just used that exact test to enter Canada this week ( I’m Canadian). No issues.
Be great if Psaki would report on the US making a decision for when Canadians will be allowed into the States. Still no word. Could be as early as July 22 but who knows??
Canadians have been allowed into the States since before COVID- they just have to fly there. They only closed the land border to have it be reciprocal with Canada. So it stands to reason the land border will be open by Aug 9, at least for the vaccinated- hopefully we hear soon.
Yes, the land crossings into the States have been the issue. Flying one way and driving back has been the only way to shop in Buffalo.
She’ll have to circle back to you on that one.
Lol her go to answer
Pshaw, Psaki. 😉
How is the situation in Canada? Is everything open?
We’re at Level 3 now. Spent yesterday at Canada’s one Cedar Fair chain park, Canada’s Wonderland. 30 minutes to get in with a reservation at a set time, then a bit shorter line ups than usual-the kicker is a season’s pass holder needs to wait over a month another reservation to get in. Better than last week when, at Level 2, they were only letting one person on a 4-in-a-row roller coaster ride, then skip a row-HOURS of waiting. 🙁
Better late than never I guess
What about Canadian citizens who are not US citizens, when will the US let them come into US??? I have grandchildren in NY I haven’t been able to go visiting ever since
You have already been able to fly into the US.
Flying is a bit difficult, you need to plan in advance and obviously more expensive. As per Sen. Schumer he said he’ll be making sure that Canadians will be able to enter US but unfortunately nothing seems to happen. ☹️
There is no problem flying also if 1 parent is canaiden they can come to toronto
If you can prove that you have a business meeting in Canada they will let you in now.
Without quarantine? Just any random business meeting?
What a mix up?
If I’m a us citizen not vaccinated what do I have to do to get in after August 9th?
Get vaccinated or a pcr and quarantine upon arrival
What do I have to do
What about non vaccidated livestock
They’re fine, just no unvaccinated bats.
my husband (who is canadian) went July 5th when they opened up. What they don’t say on the site is you have to quarantine for 2 days until you get your PCR results from the border test! Then, their system is so antiquated even though rules change you still get the 14 days of reminders of quarantine and someone actually checked on him on day 8, when he was long back in the US. This is a challenge……we would like to take the kids to see their grandparents, but one son who is 12 and not vaccinated…not ready yet. Younger ones, no problem (which also by the way isn’t stated on the CA gov’t website yet, just media outlets)
I went in June to visit my parents I got a email after 4 days that I am now in the system and have to answer calls by then I was back in the us and was able to email to take off the list!
I have many friends going back and forth the last couple of months the whole thing is a joke
This is no longer true. I’ve had many relatives fly into Canada in the last week and they were all told there’s no quarantine while they wait for their test results.
Canada is non factors
Wake me up when they allow the unvaccinated or at least those with antibodies… Unfortunately, I’ll probably be able to sleep a long time. The CDC has lost me and millions of other americans by not being medically honest in regard to antibodies. First they denied antibodies so everyone should wear a mask now it’s vaccines.
If you’ve had the virus within the last 180 days, and show them proof, you can get in to Canada August 9th.
Fortunately the desire to go to Canada is about the same as the desire to get vaccinated.
Do we have to show proof of vaccination?
Yes! You need to log it in the arrivecan app, images of both vaccine dates
I would not vaccinate for this. Canada will keep rolling down the date. Delta variant etc they will find an excuse. I’ll just keep ignoring quarantine like anyone with a little brains…
If you’re avoiding vaccination, “little brains” is on the mark.
Bravo!
A) Read what I wrote “for this” don’t think this should be your deciding factor till it actually happens.
B) I happen to be a recovered patient, any proof that vaccines are more effective than natural antibodies? Or are you just following along “the science” what we call a no-brainer…
As a protein biochemist who studies Covid-19, someone who is “recovered” will not be protected against the new variants, and you may not be protected against the original strain that infected you, depending on the length of time that has elapsed since your infection. There is a published, peer-reviewed study, that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt, that one who is “recovered” has increased protection with a vaccine compared to a “recovered” patient who is unvaccinated. Also, there is data that is starting to come out that there are long term effects to one’s genes, so saying you are “recovered” would be incorrect. The genes that are upregulated are ones that have implications in many different diseases, cancer, etc.. We do not know, and it will not be known for a while, what “recovered” actually means….. That, in this scientist’s opinion, is the scariest part of this pandemic. The lackadaisical behavior, especially in the orthodox Jewish communities with regards to safety, is at the very least a tremendous Chillul Hashem, and in my mind, criminal.
No where do you propose that there is any proof that a recovered patients antibodies aren’t as effective as a vaccine. A recovered patient taking a vaccine is similar to someone who never had it taking a 3rd dose. Please, post links to support your science. Is there any study that suggests that vaccines are more effective against new variants than natural antibodies? And btw, the vaccines are not FDA approved, rather authorized for emergency use, the FDA notes that there may be risks, but says the benefits outway the risk. Their calculations on the risk factor are based on the risks of contracting COVID, but do not factor in the fact that indisputably a recovered patient has much less risk in contracting, or becoming seriously ill. So please explain, and provide a link to the studies, how we know that there is a difference between a recovered patient, and someone who never had it but is vaccinated.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03647-4
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciab234/6170939
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.20.21255670v1
I wonder when the USA will allow the same?
Right after bein hazmanim ends!
Not sure why Canada is taking the heat and not USA. The Canadians have been allowing united states citizens that are married to a Canadian spouse in for many months already…. whereas the USA doesn’t allow Canadian spouses in.
The US allows anyone to fly in. Doesn’t require any quarantine. Whereas the crazy Canadians will force you into a quarantine hotel if you fly.
Can non Vaccinated US citizens enter (and quarentine)?
After august 9th yes. 2 week quarantine. Till now you had to have a valid excuse for them to let you in. 2 sisters drove with their American husbands for their mother’s Levaya and the border didn’t want to let the US men in saying a funeral wasn’t a good enough reason. They had to get misaskim etc involved to let them in … and they almost missed the Levaya but finally got in. And this was just about 4 weeks ago
If the wives were Canadian they should have been allowed in, no reason needed.
Um,not so fast
UPDATE: CANADA: The US-Canada border won’t reopen on Aug. 9 as planned but will stay closed to nonessential travel at least through Aug. 21 amid Covid fears.
That’s for Canadians, not Americans.
Now that makes even less sense! Guess its punishment for Canadians who didn’t stick it out and stay in Canada!
How much do they charge for the test at the border?
“Americans that drive across the border do not need to provide a negative COVID test”
I assume you mean into the USA.
Can you please clarify that?
Correct, thanks.
Americans driving through the border don’t need covid tests on both directions or just entering NY?
No need when driving to the US.
Doers that make sense at all? If I fly back, I need but if I drive back, I don’t. Any idea of the reasoning? Traffic jam?
You’re asking for logic in COVID rules?
LOL!
A month ago O transit YYZ with no problem. With separate tickets to YYZ and then to AMS. On the way back KLM refused to let me go visa KLM even though the website is clear you can transit (and I had done it a few weeks ago) they changed my ticket for free to ATL but list my special meal :
When driving into Canada (land border) is a Net PCR required? Or only via air?
Required to enter whether by air or car!
will a 12 year old have to quarantine?
12 year old needs to be vaccinated to enter.
Confirming that children under the age of 5 do not need to get covid tested prior to entering Canada?
Correct.
Going this sunday, happy to report back how it goes.
Former US ambassador to Canada Heyman said the problem is they can’t open the Canadian border while keeping the Mexican border closed. To that, I say why not? Tell the Mexicans that when they have over 70% vaccination like the Canadians, their border will be open as well. Oops, I forgot that their border is already open to all including many who have COVID! It’s not just sad but also criminal when politics trumps health.
What are the rules for Americans visiting Canada and then return to USA via car? I absolutely cannot find any updated information. Thank you.
I am a US citizen and I just drove into Canada for a few hours on Friday. Did PCR prior and brought a copy of the results. Also showed my vaccination card. I was told to use the ArriveCan app. Was a simple process and only added a few extra minutes to the trip.
The US boarder had no questions besides asking me for my passport and purpose of travel.