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Canadian Border Measures to be Eased for Fully Vaccinated Americans, No Plan for Fully Vaccinated Canadian Travellers

Today, Canada’s Government announced that on August 9, US Citizens and permanent residents residing in the US will be able to enter Canada with relaxed border measures, but travellers will have to be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada authorized vaccine 14 days prior to entry. They must also provide a COVID-19 negative test and use the ArriveCan app. The government plans to allow fully vaccinated travellers from all other countries to enter Canada on September 7.

“The Surrey Board of Trade is pleased with these announcements to bring tourism back to our region, but no plan is announced for fully vaccinated Canadians to travel to the US or to international destinations,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade. “We know that travel must be based on health and science, but a tentative plan including what the US government is thinking in terms of travel requirements is needed.” 

International students, immigrants, and travellers will need to provide an official translation of their vaccination record in English or French. All documents must be uploaded into the ArriveCan web portal or app 72 hours prior to entry. 

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result. However effective August 9, 2021, the Government of Canada is adjusting its post-arrival testing strategy for fully vaccinated travellers. Using a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

Fully vaccinated Canadians travelling to the US will be able to take their pre-travel test and have it effective upon return if they are travelling for 72 hours or less. 

Additional announcements include:

  • Passenger flights will now be able to land at 5 additional airports in Halifax, Quebec, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. 
  • Children under 12 will be exempt from quarantine requirements, can accompany parent or guardian to their destination but should avoid group settings such as schools, camp, and daycare for 14 days.
  • Hotel stay requirements will be eliminated, unvaccinated travellers will be able to go to their quarantine location for their 14 day quarantine.
  • US air passengers will not be required to have pre-departure temperature screening as of August 9. This is already eliminated for domestic flights. 
  • Restrictions on private and commercial flights from India will be extended for another 30 days.

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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com