Canada plans to open borders and start allowing fully vaccinated Americans to enter the country from August 9. They will need to also submit an additional Covid-19 test.

To be granted entry other travelers must submit proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test result and undergo a 3-day quarantine at a government-approved hotel at a cost of CAD $2,000 per person if they are not fully vaccinated.

As of now, only essential travelers, extended family members, international students, and few other exceptions are allowed to enter the country at the moment.

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Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

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Canada Opening Tourism – Latest Updates

July 30 – A labor dispute with Canada Border Services Agency could jeopardize land border reopening on August 9

A labor dispute with the Canada Border Services Agency, an union that gathers more than 8,500 border workers could risk the land border reopening.

Workers voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of taking strike actions on August 6, just two days before Canada plans to reopen its land borders to fully vaccinated Americans.

“It could very well jeopardize Canada’s plan to reopen the Canada-U.S. border to fully vaccinated Americans travelers,” said Chris Aylward, the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Customs and Immigration Union national president Mark Weber, who agrees with the strike, said that there is still time “to get back to the bargaining table.”

Source: Reuters

July 24 – Canada to reopen borders for fully vaccinated Americans on August 9

Canada is set to drop mandatory hotel quarantine for fully vaccinated Americans and U.S. residents from August 9. Visitors still need to submit a negative COVID-19 test to be allowed entry.

“On August 9, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the United States (U.S.), currently residing in the U.S., will be permitted to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel,” Canada said in a statement.

Unfortunately, this is a one-sided reopening. On July 21, the U.S. extended its border closure with Canada until at least August 21.

Source: USA Today

July 19 – Canada could reopen for fully vaccinated Americans as of mid-August

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested the country could reopen to fully vaccinated Americans by mi-August and the rest of the world by early September.

For her part, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters that the government is looking closely at “what the next step would be particularly when it comes to their fully vaccinated American neighbors,” and also mentioned that conversations are being held to allow for a soon reopening of travel.

However, a White House official told Global News that “there is nothing yet on the American side that matches what [Trudeau] is saying.”

Source: Forbes

July 9 – Canada to possibly allow international vaccinated travelers over the next few months, says government on July 8

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a straightforward statement about permitting entry to unvaccinated travelers; “I can tell you right now, that’s not going to happen for quite a while.”

The country cannot afford to risk all the progress made to keep the virus out of their borders, according to the minister.

On the bright side, he also announced that good news could come for international vaccinated travelers soon.

“The next step we’ll be looking at what measures we can allow for international travelers who are fully vaccinated,” he said. “We will have more to say in the coming weeks.”

As of today, fully vaccinated Canadians are allowed to come back home without having to undergo the mandatory hotel quarantine.

Source: Reuters

June 25 – Canada to lift its 14-day quarantine for vaccinated travelers from July 6

Canada is finally loosening its rather strict travel restrictions. Effective July 6, returning Canadians and resident permit holders can avoid the 14-day quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.

The announcement has left most travelers deeply disappointed and – according to local media – also angry because so far only 13 percent of Canadians have been fully vaccinated, as per reports from Canada’s Public Health Ministry.

Additionally, children are not eligible to get a vaccine so their parents will still need to pay for the quarantine hotel.

(Source: Financial Times)

When will Canada open for Americans?

Canadian will reopen for fully vaccinated Americans and U.S. residents on August 9.

When is the Canada-U.S. border reopening?

The Canadian government has officially extended its border closure until August 21. Only Americans will be allowed from August 9.

When will Canada open borders to Europe?

Canada could start reopening for vaccinated Europeans and other international tourists in September 2021, said Canadian PM.

COVID-19 Situation in Canada

Canada, like all nations throughout the world, has suffered greatly as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As of July 30, the country has reported 1,429,039 cases and 26,573 deaths.

As expected, the crisis hit certain areas of the country harder – namely those areas that were more populated.

Canada has been generally praised for its response to COVID. The country managed to keep its confirmed cases relatively low. Like many western countries, its rate of COVID-positive cases has been declining.

Canada-US land borders remain closed

Canada-US land borders are closed to nonessential travel and tourism.

As was noted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the move was designed to protect both countries from furthering the spread of COVID.

There are some exceptions, including visiting family members or international students. Business exceptions only exist for essential work.

Who can travel to Canada now?

Canada’s shutdown measures are severe. There are some exceptions, but they are mostly related to essential workers or people who regularly travel to Canada for work. Although, the country is hearing appeals via letter.

Canadian nationals who are abroad are allowed to return to Canada. However, no one – including Canadian nationals – will be allowed to enter the country if they show any signs of COVID-19.

Regardless of who is coming to Canada, and for what reason, all people entering the country are required to adhere to certain conditions before being able to freely move. These includes,

Submit proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test result.
Filling out basic screening information.
Quarantining for 3 days (or more) at a quarantine hotel at their own expense.

Failure to adhere to these restrictions can result in significant fines or jail time.

How safe is it to visit Canada now?

Canada is at warning level 4 by the CDC organization. Any kind of traveling to Canada is not recommended due to the high risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. (CDC.gov)

Like other places around the world, the Canadian tourism industry has taken a massive hit during this time. As noted by many news reports, the industry has been in terrible shape since the start of this pandemic.

Many locations have closed altogether, and the industry, as a whole, is advocating for significant financial help.

As a result of the closures, Canada’s tourism industry has shifted gears, promoting internal tourism and spending millions to encourage Canadians to go on local vacations – or “staycations” – that involves spending money within the country’s borders.

The good news is that many places are now open. For example, the vast majority of Niagara Falls’ attractions are now open for business.

The same applies to the CN Tower in Toronto. Indeed, most tourist attractions are open, but for internal visitations only.

The good news is that the country does have a better grasp of the COVID crisis than other countries, including their neighbors to the south.