Land Border Opening?

[quandrea]

Official US DHS statement for lifting land border ban for Canadian non-essential travelers:

Secretary Mayorkas to Allow Fully Vaccinated Travelers from Canada and Mexico to Enter U.S. at Land Borders and Ferry Crossings https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/12...ted-travelers-canada-and-mexico-enter-us-land

QUOTE

Release Date:
October 12, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will amend Title 19 regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry (POEs) across the U.S. border.

“In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner.”

The modifications to the Title 19 regulations will occur in two phases over the next few months. First, in November, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin allowing fully vaccinated travelers from Mexico or Canada to enter the United States at land and ferry POEs for non-essential reasons. Travelers will be required to have appropriate paperwork that provides proof of vaccination. Individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be allowed to travel for non-essential purposes from Canada and Mexico into the United States via land and ferry POEs.

Second, beginning in early January 2022, DHS will require that all inbound foreign national travelers crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination. This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated.

This new travel system will create consistent, stringent protocols for all foreign nationals traveling to the United States – whether by air, land, or ferry – and accounts for the wide availability of COVID-19 vaccinations.

END QUOTE

Maybe I’m dense, but what is the distinction between January and November?

 

[SirDuff]

Maybe I’m dense, but what is the distinction between January and November?

In November, foreign national NON-ESSENTIAL travellers need to be fully vaccinated. In January, ALL foreign national travelers need to be fully vaccinated.

 

[quandrea]

In November, foreign national NON-ESSENTIAL travellers need to be fully vaccinated. In January, ALL foreign national travelers need to be fully vaccinated.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Mikey15]

I’ll need to update myself on where to go to get an appropriate test to return to Canada, and where it’s cheapest, but it’s so nice to finally be able to go and see family and friends again soon!

 

[ellbell]

I’ll need to update myself on where to go to get an appropriate test to return to Canada, and where it’s cheapest, but it’s so nice to finally be able to go and see family and friends again soon!

Walgreens. I tested there in Orlando and it was free and I had the results in an hour. I've already researched where in buffalo that walgreens offers the tests.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1961598531728
Just posting a video that cbc.ca is reporting. I haven't watched it yet.

U.S. to drop negative COVID-19 test requirement when land border reopens

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I have no idea if it also is for air travel.

Edit: Air travelers still require an antigen test 3 days prior.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I watched Christa Freeland speak and take questions yesterday, she was at a G7!conference in Washington DC. She was asked quite a few questions about the land border reopening.

When asked about testing to come and go for brief trips over to the US in border areas, the answer was if the US decides to not entry test that is their prerogative, a test will still be needed to cross back into Canada.

She did state that if you would be gone & back within the 72 hour window required… you could take the test at home before leaving and it would be recognized at the border upon return as a valid test for entry.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I watched Christa Freeland speak and take questions yesterday, she was at a G7!conference in Washington DC. She was asked quite a few questions about the land border reopening.

When asked about testing to come and go for brief trips over to the US in border areas, the answer was if the US decides to not entry test that is their prerogative, a test will still be needed to cross back into Canada.

She did state that if you would be gone & back within the 72 hour window required… you could take the test at home before leaving and it would be recognized at the border upon return as a valid test for entry.

The US probably wants to look good. Think about it to go even for a day trip we will be required a negative PCR/NAAT test to return home so for day trips they know we will already have this done. Why would they bother having something extra to check when it’s already done for them, lol.

 

[azrivest]

Since tests in the US are cheaper (even free), who would bother paying a PCR test here in Canada for a short trip to the US?

 

[ottawamom]

I watched Christa Freeland speak and take questions yesterday, she was at a G7!conference in Washington DC. She was asked quite a few questions about the land border reopening.

When asked about testing to come and go for brief trips over to the US in border areas, the answer was if the US decides to not entry test that is their prerogative, a test will still be needed to cross back into Canada.

She did state that if you would be gone & back within the 72 hour window required… you could take the test at home before leaving and it would be recognized at the border upon return as a valid test for entry.

The US probably wants to look good. Think about it to go even for a day trip we will be required a negative PCR/NAAT test to return home so for day trips they know we will already have this done. Why would they bother having something extra to check when it’s already done for them, lol.

Cash grab for the pharmacies on the part of the government if you ask me. A possible way around that is to stop in at a Walgreens and get one of their free tests (you'd have to stay 24hrs) to get back across the border.

Again I don't see how taking a test before you leave Canada is going to keep Canada safe from another case of Covid. I think the rules need to be different for those who have a trip of less than 72hours. The border has the ability to know when you left the country and when you return.

This is all a moot point for me because I don't even think I qualify to get into states yet (mixed dose)

 

[nightwing12]

looks like nov 8th will be the date it opens https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ex...ional-travel-curbs-nov-8-official-2021-10-15/
hopefully we'll get the guidance on mixed doses soon too.

 

[Chip#1]

Since tests in the US are cheaper (even free), who would bother paying a PCR test here in Canada for a short trip to the US?

Smaller town crossings are hard pressed to have a Walgreens or CVS -- DH has been waiting to take his dad across into Montanna to visit family and there is zero testing in the small town they will be visiting. Either needs to drive quite far or go to Regina before and pay for a test.

 

[ellbell]

Cash grab for the pharmacies on the part of the government if you ask me. A possible way around that is to stop in at a Walgreens and get one of their free tests (you'd have to stay 24hrs) to get back across the border.

Again I don't see how taking a test before you leave Canada is going to keep Canada safe from another case of Covid. I think the rules need to be different for those who have a trip of less than 72hours. The border has the ability to know when you left the country and when you return.

This is all a moot point for me because I don't even think I qualify to get into states yet (mixed dose)

Chances are you wouldn't need to stay the 24 hours. I tested at walgreens and had the results in an hour.

 

[mevelandry]

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1961598531728
Just posting a video that cbc.ca is reporting. I haven't watched it yet.

U.S. to drop negative COVID-19 test requirement when land border reopens

Now, if only they could drop testing for cruises, all our problems would be solved.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Come on, give us the guidance on mixed vaccinations!!

 

[flav]

One thing that isn’t clear to me is what happens if, as Canadian, you show up to the Canadian land border with a positive test. You just declare it and go quarantine at home?

For example, let’s say I take a PCR test in Canada, drive through the US border after it reopens, go shopping or skying, stay the night in the US, get my PCR test results by email the next morning and they are positive. I just show up at the Canadian border anyway because I probably won’t find any place to quarantine two weeks in the US?

 

[SCCNJ]

Josh Wingrove(seems to be a White House reporter) posted on another social media site that mixed doses will be accepted by the US as fully vaccinated! I'm cautiously optimistic, but we of course need to see an official statement. .....but EEEEE!!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Bloomberg news is reporting mixed vaccination doses will be accepted to enter the US!!

 

[pigletto]

Oh please oh please oh please oh please . I desperately need something to be excited about today ( very bad day) .