There had been optimism among many that the border between the United States and Canada would reopen as of this month, given that both countries have seen an uptick in vaccination and a decrease in coronavirus cases. Unfortunately it’s now official that this won’t be happening — the border closure has been extended by another month.
In this post:
Canada border closed to Americans through July 21
The border between the United States and Canada has been closed for non-essential travel since March 21, 2020. The border closure has consistently been extended for a month at a time, and up until recently the closure was through June 21, 2021. It has now officially been extended by a further month, through July 21, 2021. That means the border between the countries will have been closed for 16 months.
There are a few further things to note:
- Americans are allowed to transit Canada enroute to a third country, but only if remaining in sterile transit
- Canadians are allowed to travel to the US if arriving by air, though Americans aren’t allowed to travel to Canada
- The US requires a negative coronavirus test no more than three days prior to traveling to the US by air, while Canada has more stringent entry restrictions, and even requires a hotel quarantine if traveling by air
Canadians continue to be able to travel to the US by air
Coronavirus & vaccination in the US vs. Canada
How do case numbers compare in the United States & Canada? Comparing the situation since the start of the pandemic:
- The US has seen a total of 33.5 million cases and 601K deaths, with a population of 328 million
- Canada has seen a total of 1.41 million cases and 26K deaths, with a population of 38 million
Since the start of the pandemic, the US has seen 2.8x as many cases per capita, and 2.7x as many deaths per capita. Fortunately the situation on both sides of the border has improved considerably in recent weeks.
Comparing the seven day averages in the two countries:
- The US is seeing 14,297 cases per day and 412 deaths per day
- Canada is seeing 1,243 cases per day and 26 deaths per day
At this point the US is seeing marginally more per capita coronavirus cases, though the death rate in the US is still significantly higher.
When it comes to getting vaccinated, it’s looking pretty good in both countries as well:
- In the US, 54% of people have received at least one dose, while 45% of people are fully vaccinated
- In Canada, 66% of people have received at least one dose, while only 16% of people are fully vaccinated
The US has seen a lot more cases & deaths than Canada
When are travel restrictions likely to be lifted?
When should we expect the border between Canada and the United States to reopen? A spokesperson for Canada’s Minister of Public Safety stated that “until the conditions on both sides of the border change very substantively, the measures at our borders will remain intact.” It seems to me like conditions on both sides of the border have changed substantively, but apparently what we’ve seen hasn’t done the trick yet.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hinted that 75% of Canadians would need to be vaccinated before life gets “back to normal,” and that potentially includes loosening border restrictions. Canada is getting pretty close to that 75% vaccination goal (at least with one shot), and that will likely happen within the next month or so.
Here’s my personal take:
- At this point it’s hard to argue that this is anything other than political, given that it’s not like Canada or the United States are taking a zero-tolerance approach to coronavirus (like what we see in New Zealand)
- It seems that Canada is just doing everything it can to discourage all kinds of travel regardless of risk, and the US travel ban is part of that; for example, even someone traveling from New Zealand to Canada would have to go into a hotel quarantine and take three separate tests
- Ultimately these restrictions often stay in place because neither side wants to lift restrictions without it being reciprocal
- It is interesting to me that Canadians are allowed to visit the US by air, while the inverse isn’t true, so this isn’t exactly an equal reciprocal closure
Reports suggest that there are active discussions happening about reopening the border between the two countries, especially for vaccinated travelers. So while the closure has been extended by another month, I have to imagine that this will be the last extension.
I can’t imagine the border won’t reopen in late July, but then again, who really knows.
I’m curious to see when Canada reopens to Americans
Bottom line
It has now been confirmed that the border between the US & Canada will continue to remain closed until at least July 21, 2021. This is no doubt disappointing news to many, especially as we get into the peak summer travel period.
While I don’t have any skin in the game, personally I find this to be disappointing. This isn’t just about tourism, but there are all kinds of people with connections to the other country, and not having access to that for 16 months is extreme. Obviously there has been a terrible pandemic so the restrictions were perhaps initially warranted, but at this point is there really a significant risk posed by vaccinated travelers crossing the border?
When do you think we’ll see the US & Canada border reopen?
Now through August 21st
Ben and all interested, some useful statistics on Canadian vaccination rates can be found here: https://covid19tracker.ca/vaccinationtracker.html.
It's very close to the July 22nd decision date, and vaccination rates in Canada are close to 80%/60% for one/two doses.
I want to know when the US land border will open southbound for fully vaccinated Canadians. Right now I can return to Canada by land, but not go southbound. I don't have essential status, but missing my daughter and family terribly.
There is no plan to ever reopen the border. You who agree with these shutdowns and destruction of everything we knew as life are complicit in authoritarianism. Go live in China if you want that.
International travel as we knew it is dead and gone forever - the travel and airline industries are going to go under as planned (zero carbon and nonsense like that out of the UK planning closing all airports in Britain...
There is no plan to ever reopen the border. You who agree with these shutdowns and destruction of everything we knew as life are complicit in authoritarianism. Go live in China if you want that.
International travel as we knew it is dead and gone forever - the travel and airline industries are going to go under as planned (zero carbon and nonsense like that out of the UK planning closing all airports in Britain by 2040).
A shame I was never able to travel like I had wished before this madness.
#TrudeauDictatorship is here to stay.
Even FULLY VAXX'd, you'll need like 3 Covid Tests fo take a vacation
At $150 - $200 per test.
Vacations will be an expensive experience, especially if you plan on taking several family members with ya.
Honestly, I think the reason that Trudeau is keeping the border closed is two-fold. One is trying to discourage travel (hence the hotel quarantine...which in some cases is sufficiently punitive that there were folks just choosing to take a fine and ignore it).
The other, more cynical, reason is that I suspect that a LOT of Canadians would pop into the US for their second shot (given the walk-in nature of this and the lack...
Honestly, I think the reason that Trudeau is keeping the border closed is two-fold. One is trying to discourage travel (hence the hotel quarantine...which in some cases is sufficiently punitive that there were folks just choosing to take a fine and ignore it).
The other, more cynical, reason is that I suspect that a LOT of Canadians would pop into the US for their second shot (given the walk-in nature of this and the lack of a charge, this wouldn't be hard to see happening in large numbers in the major near-border cities), and that would be a political disaster given how much pride Canada has in their health care system. "2M Canadians Flood US for Second Jab" is a headline that could cost Trudeau the next election, and I'm pretty sure that's what would happen if Canadians could cross into NY or WA (or even fly to FL and spend the run-out period from shot #2 on the beach or at Disney World), get a shot, and then not have to quarantine on return (whether immediately or after two weeks).
That being said, I am honestly, and sincerely, surprised that the US agreed to a further extension. It would be one thing if (say) the Indian variant was running around in Canada (and even then, I think the fully-vaccinated levels in the US, combined with the fact that most of the folks who aren't vaccinated in the US at this stage have chosen not to be and...yes, I'm cold, but at this stage even realizing that some people can't get shots for valid medical reasons, I'm ready to just let this sock the refuseniks). But it isn't, so in Biden's shoes I'd have been mighty tempted to tell Trudeau "Either you commit to a July opening under explicit, publicly-stated conditions or we're just ripping ALL the restrictions on Canadians coming into the US who haven't been overseas in the last few weeks" and let him sit and spin on a now-totally-unilateral extension.
Past declarations happened simultaneously between the 2 countries. This one was early and only by Canada . Chatter is that the US is opening the borders unilaterally to Canadians at midnight Monday . Us website has not been updated with further ban and I think patients has run out with prime minister black face so the Canadian government tried to get ahead of the US. I could be wrong but I’m hearing things. Furthermore hotel...
Past declarations happened simultaneously between the 2 countries. This one was early and only by Canada . Chatter is that the US is opening the borders unilaterally to Canadians at midnight Monday . Us website has not been updated with further ban and I think patients has run out with prime minister black face so the Canadian government tried to get ahead of the US. I could be wrong but I’m hearing things. Furthermore hotel quarantine will end July first for fully vaccinated people , announcement to be made tomorrow.
Canada’s socialist leaning PM doesn’t seem to care about his country’s economic welfare or that of the business owners who are suffering. Past time for a new PM.
Probably comes down to politics and money. Many individuals have been/ are in very difficult circumstances, made even more difficult by a closed border. Looking forward to the next election.
Jack may find the continued closure "infuriating", but here on the south shore of Nova Scotia most people one speaks with approve of the government's decision. I certainly do.
Same as in BC.
We support the Federal and Provincial governments’ approach.
The last thing we need is to open the border too soon. However, the sooner the better so that our American friends can travel north again.
Hang in there, hopefully just a few more weeks.
I am American, working in Hong Kong, fully vaccinated, and in Hong Kong, we have one or two cases a week. For me to get home, I go to Toronto and drive down to the US. 80-minute drive. But can not unless I quarantine for two weeks in Toronto even though I am vaccinated.
Seems to me that it should be loosened up for some special cases like mine. I have missed my son's wedding already, and a couple of family deaths. Hoping to the day I can travel!
As a US citizen, knowing Trudeau administration forbidding US citizens visiting Canada (including vaxed Americans) is disheartening, because I love Canada. I visit Canada at least once every year (I live in the South) and always enjoy Canada’s natural beauty. SOrri Canada, i am visiting Iceland this year because I don’t feel you welcome US citizens.
Lucky,
It is interesting that you've carried this story over a couple of days. You would have reasons for that.
It appears that in social media some deny that the border is really closed and mention crossing from one country to another and from province to province even though Canadian government websites and Canadian mainstream media list restrictions. Your article mentions border restrictions. So who is correct? Are borders open or shut? Maybe...
Lucky,
It is interesting that you've carried this story over a couple of days. You would have reasons for that.
It appears that in social media some deny that the border is really closed and mention crossing from one country to another and from province to province even though Canadian government websites and Canadian mainstream media list restrictions. Your article mentions border restrictions. So who is correct? Are borders open or shut? Maybe those saying they can here and there with impunity are essential workers.
Quite often, USA media takes a confronting view of Canada (and other friends) . It should come as no surprise that that the Canadian government feels some trepidation as it does. Perhaps people in USA have become used to aggressive language, and indeed relish it.
The trade balance these days is in favour of Canada. Perhaps that is a simple answer to a problem which vexes many.
I'm currently in the process of rebuild a 70's car. My son and I were hoping to have the project finnished this summer. But with the border being closed, we've been at a standstill due to lack of parts since January. Normally I'd order parts from US suppliers, have them shipped to Eureka MT, then cross over the border to pick them up. Having them shipped directly to me is not cost effective. Trudeau stop kicking the can 30 days at a time down the road.
No worries
I have to cut my grass
Considering we now have 75% vaccinated and that was the target, and considering the "Science" behind the safety of reopening as they keep reiterating (but politically choose to not follow), July 5th would have been more reasonable. Why must it be month to month at this point, given the stakes, it should be reassessed at the very least, weekly!
What about a unilateral opening? Please let Canadians cross into the US via land!!!! Not all people have the luxury of time on their side. This decision can have devastating effects for some families unable to travel by air.
This is absolute and utter bull
The US has vaccines readily available at any pharmacy as a walk in. Canadians are currently still scampering for vaccine appointments. There are no appointments to be found due to supply shortages and Canadians are on a seriously extended (16-week) second dose schedule that many of us are struggling to find appointments to meet, with some people having to travel well over an hour so as not to start...
This is absolute and utter bull
The US has vaccines readily available at any pharmacy as a walk in. Canadians are currently still scampering for vaccine appointments. There are no appointments to be found due to supply shortages and Canadians are on a seriously extended (16-week) second dose schedule that many of us are struggling to find appointments to meet, with some people having to travel well over an hour so as not to start over.
They have also started mixing and matching vaccine type doses in order to get this done with.
Reopening the border on June 22 would allow so many Canadians to drive south and get their second doses within weeks and Canadians would be at 50-60% second dosed by mid July.
That's actually a good idea I think, with so many vaccine doses sitting around and/or outright thrown away expired, might as well let Canadians drive across freely and vaccinate whoever wants it. Helping them will be mutually beneficial if full cross border tourism both ways can open quicker.
Moreover the us can set a condition for allowing Canadian visitors at the border to either show proof of already being vaccinated or proof of a same day appointment confirmation for somewhere like walgreens that is coming for a shot.
Canadians are already allowed to drive south to get the vaccine if they want. But the situation you describe is of 3 months ago. Right now there are plenty of vaccines and the rates in canada are almost caught up to the us with over 70 percent already having had first shots. Here in BC we near 80 percent and cases are near zero.
Waiting longer for the second shot is also been proven...
Canadians are already allowed to drive south to get the vaccine if they want. But the situation you describe is of 3 months ago. Right now there are plenty of vaccines and the rates in canada are almost caught up to the us with over 70 percent already having had first shots. Here in BC we near 80 percent and cases are near zero.
Waiting longer for the second shot is also been proven to produce better results which is inline with other vaccination programs. Some required 6 months or more between shots.
In all, canada has fared far far better than the us and europe in this pandemic. Those are simple facts
The federal Canadian government has made it prohibitive for Canadians to go get the vaccine. I live 50 minutes from upstate NY and I got my first dose YESTERDAY compared to my cousin in NJ who was fully vaccinated in March. I want my mother to get her second dose now and not in six weeks for personal reasons, but getting an earlier appointment in Eastern ON is currently virtually impossible. I have her on...
The federal Canadian government has made it prohibitive for Canadians to go get the vaccine. I live 50 minutes from upstate NY and I got my first dose YESTERDAY compared to my cousin in NJ who was fully vaccinated in March. I want my mother to get her second dose now and not in six weeks for personal reasons, but getting an earlier appointment in Eastern ON is currently virtually impossible. I have her on multiple pharmacy waiting lists and we're willing to drive anywhere to get a near-expiring dose, but this isn't happening.
I just want to drive her into NY and get the second dose and come back without being subjected to bullcrap, but we cannot. If the border were open now, we'd be fine.
The same is true in BC, if the border were open, the number of BCans crossing into WA to get vaccines would be incredible.
It is also time to reunite broken families and ease the transition into post-pandemic life, with or without vaccine passports. (I do not support vaccine passports in businesses, but I do support using them for travel as has been done with old vaccine passports over the years and WITHOUT the whole electronic component. I don't care if it's easy to fake at this point, it's very clear that we're going to reach herd immunity in Canada.)
Justin Trudeau is playing politics, pure and simple. He is acting like Trump.
No, he’s being (excessively) cautious.
Due to a fluke goal the Montreal Canadians will possibly make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. If that’s the case what about the New York Islanders or Tampa Bay fans that want to attend the games in Montreal or vice versa ? That would be a significant disadvantage .
Quebec extended the hours bars can be open to acommodate the later games. No lie....
Canada is a totalitarian country, similar like new zealand. They check what are the limits.
What a dumb statement! If Canada and NZ are totalitarian, give me that over democracy any day.
I thought the U.S.A. and CANADA had the longest undefended border on earth.
The past 15 months have demonstrated that it has been taken to an entirely different level.
What a sad demonstration in lack of affinity and indefensible medical dogma.
You have a Socialist running the 51st State of America in Canada and you have an incoherent dopey Socialist running USA, what hope is there that they want the people free. Perish the thought they might have to answer questions from the comrades. What a joke North America has become.
Socialized Medicine
In Canada... ... only 16% of people are fully vaccinated
Yeah this is getting ridiculous. That they don't even have a timeline in place is a disgrace. Alberta is removing all restrictions on July 1st, Quebec is mostly open, New brunswick is opening as well...
I live in New Hampshire, USA. Our Governor Sununu requested from the Biden Administration that New Hampshire be allowed to send extra vaccine to Canada as we border the Province of Quebec and our state depends on Canadians being able to traverse the border for work, vacations and to visit relatives. We were denied by the Biden Administration. I wish both countries would stop playing politics with peoples lives.
I am seeing tons and tons of Quebec and Ontario license plates on the streets of New York over the last few weeks. And no, I am not hallucinating. Strange.
Here's a couple ideas that might point to future directions. Down here, every positive covid case is investigated forensically.
At present there is an outbreak in Sydney. It has been proven that the guy got it in his job transporting US fedex airline crew in a vehicle. They have exactly the same strain of virus he got infected by.
The genomic strain of the virus matches only with a strain in USA. Before...
Here's a couple ideas that might point to future directions. Down here, every positive covid case is investigated forensically.
At present there is an outbreak in Sydney. It has been proven that the guy got it in his job transporting US fedex airline crew in a vehicle. They have exactly the same strain of virus he got infected by.
The genomic strain of the virus matches only with a strain in USA. Before the man felt sick and got tested, he went to a coffee shop. He sat inside. A woman sat outside. She was infected, even though they didn't interact. We have security camera video to prove it. She has the same strain as him.
Then the man went to a shopping centre. One man got infected by walking past. Again, no interaction. Again, we have security camera video to prove it was a walk past infection. That US strain of the virus spread so easily.
Information is shared by governments. Given the speed that the strain in USA can spread, it is unlikely that the Canadian government will be itching to open the border. At least until more research is on the table.
Ben, USA polls indicate that US citizens are far more interested in local US economy and the Mexico border. The US Canada border may not be a high priority on US minds.
Canadian provinces have ability to control their borders. People in Ontario can't go to Nova Scotia on a whim.
Talk about Canada opening borders is just talk. There are no reasons to conclude that if parts or all of the US Canada...
Ben, USA polls indicate that US citizens are far more interested in local US economy and the Mexico border. The US Canada border may not be a high priority on US minds.
Canadian provinces have ability to control their borders. People in Ontario can't go to Nova Scotia on a whim.
Talk about Canada opening borders is just talk. There are no reasons to conclude that if parts or all of the US Canada border reopen for tourism that it will be like it was pre covid.
Neither the US nor the Canadian government has announced vaccine dependent reopening border legislation, and given the rights of States and Provinces, that's a tricky move.
Your post is pure BS ... you type words like you have facts. You don't. The whole precip of a US Strain is BS to start. The biggest concern here is the Delta variant (aka India strain) and that's only if you are not vaccinated. No matter what the genetic variants are or will be, you DO NOT catch COVID through a fleeting passing interaction. The viral load (concentration of particles and duration of exposure)...
Your post is pure BS ... you type words like you have facts. You don't. The whole precip of a US Strain is BS to start. The biggest concern here is the Delta variant (aka India strain) and that's only if you are not vaccinated. No matter what the genetic variants are or will be, you DO NOT catch COVID through a fleeting passing interaction. The viral load (concentration of particles and duration of exposure) is no where near contagious levels as you describe other than the guy in a car for an extended period. SARS-COV-2 is a respiratory virus, like any and all other respiratory viruses, not some mysteriously powerful, nuclear particle poison! Once the normal human immune system is "taught" to fight off the heretofore unknown virus via supremely effective RMNA vaccines its in the rear view mirror. Move on with life already.
This is incredibly frustrating for those of us with family in both countries. There does not appear to be a medical reason to extend the border closure given high vaccination rates. I hope that when they extend beyond June 21st they indicate a reopening date by August 1st.
I can't travel 100 kilometres across the border to Whitefish, but I can spend $2900 and fly from Calgary to Denver to Kalispell. Seems set up for the rich if you want my opinion.
Outside of our geeky travel-interested community, Americans aren't informed about this issue, nor do they care. So US gov't isn't under big pressure to change the border situation. But in Canada, the gov't is under huge pressure to be nasty to foreigners, which as we know are infected infested dangerous people carrying infestation and infection and probably guns, which Canadians think all Americans carry in their purses. Bitching about gov't "playing politics" is naive. They're...
Outside of our geeky travel-interested community, Americans aren't informed about this issue, nor do they care. So US gov't isn't under big pressure to change the border situation. But in Canada, the gov't is under huge pressure to be nasty to foreigners, which as we know are infected infested dangerous people carrying infestation and infection and probably guns, which Canadians think all Americans carry in their purses. Bitching about gov't "playing politics" is naive. They're reacting to public opinion, NOT "science", which says open the border and test test test. When PM Trudeau announced the hotel quarantine nonsense, he openly admitted the purpose of the policy was to discourage Canadians from going on trips. Can we all just agree that pandemics shouldn't be run by "accountable" politicians, but rather by scientific panels of actual epidemiologists, using well-prepared plans? US pandemic response had its problems, some of which were the fault of the previous administration/POTUS. Canada, same. Brazil, same. But Taiwan pulled the "what to do" book off the shelf and followed the steps.
I have been feeling September 2021 for months and gonna stick with that hunch.
Ben, is there a current non-stop NZ-Canada flight where your hypothetical applies? If not, any NZ passenger would have to connect in the US, where they could get Covid.
Air new zealand flies to Vancouver, and theres other routings without connecting in US such as Auckland -> Sydney -> Vancouver
AirNZ doesn't fly to Vancouver currently, but you are right that there are routings that avoid the US (HKG or ICN for example).
What is it with you people that think the US has cooties or something ... insinuating that stepping off a plane in the US equates to COVID?!? News flash, life is pretty darn close to pre-COVID days here with shops, restaurants, ball parks, many offices, etc. fully open and vibrant. Airports are crowded and people are living life robustly again. There is zero excuse for anyone in the US to not being fully vaccinated; those...
What is it with you people that think the US has cooties or something ... insinuating that stepping off a plane in the US equates to COVID?!? News flash, life is pretty darn close to pre-COVID days here with shops, restaurants, ball parks, many offices, etc. fully open and vibrant. Airports are crowded and people are living life robustly again. There is zero excuse for anyone in the US to not being fully vaccinated; those that aren't are risk to themselves not the majority of us that are fully vaccinated. The whole Canada border debacle has become the only way Trudeau can get his name in the news outside of downtown Ottawa. No legitimate reason to restrict fully vaccinated travelers; Canada is becoming a international laughing stock over the absurdity.
This is 100% Justin Trudeau's fault as he is playing politics. President Biden should secretly tell him to stop or he will impose harsher measures on Canadians, such as no entry unless fully vaccinated by a FDA authorized vaccine. Currently, most Canadians are getting an AZ vaccine that is NOT FDA authorized and banned in the US. This would be a good policy measure. It's called retribution and reciprocity. Treat us well and we do...
This is 100% Justin Trudeau's fault as he is playing politics. President Biden should secretly tell him to stop or he will impose harsher measures on Canadians, such as no entry unless fully vaccinated by a FDA authorized vaccine. Currently, most Canadians are getting an AZ vaccine that is NOT FDA authorized and banned in the US. This would be a good policy measure. It's called retribution and reciprocity. Treat us well and we do the same. Treat us poorly and we do it back to you.
Seems like you have absolutely no idea what's happening in Canada. Most people in Canada have been getting Pfizer and Moderna, not AZ. Only about 2 million doses of AZ have been administered in Canada, out of more than 34 million doses of vaccine administered.
When do you expect US borders to open for other countries, especially Europeans? Would be interesting to see your take on this. As Europe is opening to Americans, I would have expected some sort of reciprocal agreement, but nothing like this is in sight yet.
My husband is Canadian and he came to the US via air for two weeks then our daughter and I drove back with him so that we could all quarantine together. I have been FULLY vaccinated since January of 2021 and my husband was able to get his second dose at my workplace while he was in the US. We STILL had to take THREE COVID tests and quarantine in his small apartment for 14...
My husband is Canadian and he came to the US via air for two weeks then our daughter and I drove back with him so that we could all quarantine together. I have been FULLY vaccinated since January of 2021 and my husband was able to get his second dose at my workplace while he was in the US. We STILL had to take THREE COVID tests and quarantine in his small apartment for 14 days using up all of my time off from work for the year just to be able to spend time together as a family. I am disgusted by how callously the governments have been treating families separated by the border like ours. I know grandparents who have been separated by the border and missed graduations, births of their grandchildren, and funerals. It’s just cruel and unnecessary at this point.
Not sure why they don't just limit travel to fully vaccinated individuals in the meantime. The unvaccinated people are the greatest risk for virus transmission.
I just can't stand this situation anymore. What is the risk of opening the borders to fully vaccinated people. If they are overcareful they could even ask to present a negative test on top of the vaccine.
@Samuel: I couldn't have said it better myself.
At a minimum, fully vaccinated U.S. travelers should be allowed entry into Canada without having to quarantine. Sadly, politics and not science is what is driving the Canadian government's decision in this regard.
Public opinion in Canada isn't with you on that one: https://news.usask.ca/articles/research/2021/masks,-vaccines,-lockdown-and-trust-national-survey-reveals-what-canadians-think-of-covid-19-pandemic-response.php
Depends on where in Canada. There are parts of Canada that are very conservative where people pretty much act like Texans
Lol, Canadian Gov’t can suck it.
You would think Trudeau getting punched by Chandler Bing had nothing to do with it.
Maybe Justin Bieber should punch Hunter so we can finally reopen the borders.
Did Trudeau hotel quarantine after coming back from Europe? I didn't think so.
He did, actually.
It get's old. Here in Maine, we can literally walk across the border to New Brunswick. Vaccinated people should be able to cross. I hope that the US opens up for Canadians at least....many of them are used to coming across to shop.
The border has never been closed to Canadians. We could fly to the US through the entire pandemic. However, flying back to Canada requires us to quarantine at a hotel for 3 nights, which deters trips to the US.
Well, all i can say is that there are hundreds of thousands of people crossing the mexico land border to the US daily to work or for medical treatment. Also , US citizen's crossing with no issues. Where is the control in that?
Wait, only 16% of Canadians are fully vaccinated?
Canada had a supply issue with vaccines (Thanks, Trudeau!) so the public health agency decided to have a "first-dose first" strategy. Better to reduce severe outcomes by ~80% for 90% of the population than to reduce severe outcomes by ~95% for 45% of the population (numbers are not exact but you get the point.)
Actually you can thank Trump, who put restrictions on vaccine exports, so Canada relied on supplies from India (AZ, subsequently stopped) and Europe. So Canada adopted the UK approach of getting as many people as possible the first jab. Now that supplies are increasing, we could see an acceleration in second jabs. It is impressive that 66% have first jab, as we in the US are begging and bribing people to get the vaccine with...
Actually you can thank Trump, who put restrictions on vaccine exports, so Canada relied on supplies from India (AZ, subsequently stopped) and Europe. So Canada adopted the UK approach of getting as many people as possible the first jab. Now that supplies are increasing, we could see an acceleration in second jabs. It is impressive that 66% have first jab, as we in the US are begging and bribing people to get the vaccine with lottery tickets, free beer and offers of college tuition. With plentiful supply we are behind on first jabs despite Canada’s slow start.
Being a US contractor who works in a specialized essential field, I have travelled to Canada several times during the pandemic. I have been in both Quebec(pretty open) and Newfoundland(14 day self isolation) in the last month. I can assure you that despite the best efforts to portray anti-vaxxers as solely an American product, bribery with lottery tickets, hockey tickets, and other perks is happening in several Canadian provinces.
Yes - that was correct yesterday.
Canada took a certain approach. Basically get as many first shots into as many arms as soon as possible. (We rely on imported vaccines: no Canadian manufacturers.)
Now that vaccine supplies are coming in more regularly, we are making serious strides with the second shots too. Still some way to go, but we're getting there. And..HALLO! ..Canada is the second largest nation - by geographical area -...
Yes - that was correct yesterday.
Canada took a certain approach. Basically get as many first shots into as many arms as soon as possible. (We rely on imported vaccines: no Canadian manufacturers.)
Now that vaccine supplies are coming in more regularly, we are making serious strides with the second shots too. Still some way to go, but we're getting there. And..HALLO! ..Canada is the second largest nation - by geographical area - on earth. So many remote communities - that need our attention before tourists.
AND...it's still to be decided about proof of vaccination.
WHY do you all want to come to Canada - suddenly? I have cats like y'all - the minute the door is closed you want in...
Be happy to see you again. But when the time is right.
What do you mean 'suddenly'. Up until last year our family has been going to Canada at least once a year for 30+ years.
We haven't been there for almost 2 years, and we miss it.
We're vaccinated, and since we're not jerks are willing to adhere to any restrictions that the governments and individual establishments impose.
Require proof of vaccination, not the easily forged cards but state or health care database...
What do you mean 'suddenly'. Up until last year our family has been going to Canada at least once a year for 30+ years.
We haven't been there for almost 2 years, and we miss it.
We're vaccinated, and since we're not jerks are willing to adhere to any restrictions that the governments and individual establishments impose.
Require proof of vaccination, not the easily forged cards but state or health care database and you not only keep it safe, but reduce the number of US jerks that get in by 90%.
As a Canadian this is infuriating. Provinces want it open but the federal government is dragging their heels, probably waiting for a technology solution to vaccination status.
Also, 75% of Canadians Trudeau meant was eligible Canadians, which we are already at. We are on pace for full vaccination by the beginning of August.
A friend’s son and his family live in Canada. In the last few months he’s encountered life threatening health problems, including a cancer diagnosis. My friend is unable to travel to be with him and help his family. My friend is fully vaccinated. The Canadian government’s restrictions are cruel.
Great leadership, Trudeau!
Enjoy the never ending lockdowns esp in Toronto with your great leader!
Ontario lockdowns are the doing of an even dumber leader at the provincial level
I am a Canadian PR (Permanent Resident, roughly equivalent to a US “Green Card”) married to a Canadian citizen with US residency. We have homes in both countries and have only crossed the border twice since this all began - northbound in December and southbound in April. When we crossed back into Canada we “served” our 14 day “sentence” in our home. We have avoided going back up this summer because of all the “hoops”...
I am a Canadian PR (Permanent Resident, roughly equivalent to a US “Green Card”) married to a Canadian citizen with US residency. We have homes in both countries and have only crossed the border twice since this all began - northbound in December and southbound in April. When we crossed back into Canada we “served” our 14 day “sentence” in our home. We have avoided going back up this summer because of all the “hoops” so we look forward to the official announcement of when our vaccination cards (we both got Moderna in the US) will be fully accepted. It’s been a rough 15 months for sure.
Probably about the same time the US acknowledges that Astra-Zeneca is a REAL vaccine too.
I should know - I have had TWO. No blood clots either. (See also many millions in Europe.)
Even if the US accepted Astra-Zeneca there are so many countries with orders ahead of us that it wouldn't make a difference.
And the US has Johnson & Johnson, which only requires one dose, letting us get to full vaccination faster. (The recent production issues have delayed J&J doses, but this should clear up soon.)
Awesome