Canada to re-open border to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers August 9

The U.S./Canada border will re-open to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers Monday, August 9, according to a Canadian government announcement on July 19. The country will reopen September 7 to fully vaccinated travelers from other countries. 

The U.S./Canada border has been closed since March 2020 to limit the spread of Covid-19.

A Public Health Agency of Canada news release said the border would first open to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and residents so the Canadian government could prepare for opening the border to more vaccinated travelers in September and as a way to recognize the strong partnership between Canada and the U.S.

All travelers will be required to use ArriveCAN, the government’s app for Covid-19 vaccination and test records. Fully vaccinated travelers will still be required to submit proof of a Covid-19 test at least 72 hours before crossing into Canada, but they will not be required to take a Covid-19 test after arriving.

Travelers will have needed to be vaccinated with one of Canada’s approved Covid-19 vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca.

The Canadian government will no longer require the three-day hotel quarantine for vaccinated and unvaccinated air travelers August 9, but travelers must still have a quarantine plan in place. This decision was based upon the increase in Covid-19 vaccinations, declining Covid-19 cases and fewer Covid-19 hospitalizations, according to the news release.

"Canadians' safety and security always come first. With rising vaccination rates and fewer cases in Canada, we can begin to safely ease border measures,” said Patty Hajdu, Canada’s minister of health, in a statement. “A gradual approach to reopening will allow our health authorities to monitor the Covid-19 situation here and abroad. Canadians have worked hard and sacrificed for each other, and because of that work, we can take these next steps safely."