The United States-Canadian border is set to reopen in a little more than a week, and travelers crossing for non-essential purposes will be required to be vaccinated, according to the Department of Homeland Security on Friday.
Travelers should also be prepared to verbally attest to and provide proof of vaccination status as outlined on the Centers for Disease Control website.
Separately, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection clarified that, unlike the new air travel rules, vaccinated travelers entering the U.S. by land will not be required to also produce a negative COVID test.
“There has been a slow, painful drip of information detailing the reopening of the Northern Border rather than clear and concise directives the public needs and deserves,” Congressman Brian Higgins, who serves as co-chair of the Canada-U.S Interparliamentary Group and the Northern Border Caucus, said in a statement. “This is contributing to frustration and confusion. Initial details are welcome and with just a week to go, explicit information is needed to allow people to comfortably and confidently cross the border.”
The land ports of entry will officially open on Nov. 8, but details have not been released on the exact time when travelers can begin to cross.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests to travelers to plan for longer than normal wait times and longer lines as the border opens.
Additional details are expected to come soon from Customs and Border Protection.
