U.S. to reopen land border with Canada

Fully vaccinated travellers from Canada will be able to cross the U.S. land border starting in November.

The U.S. is reopening its land border to non-essential travel from Canada starting in November.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced that fully vaccinated travellers from Canada and Mexico will be able to enter the country from land and sea ports of entry.

“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,” Mayorkas said in a government media release.

“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 reopening will happen in two phases. In November, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the U.S. by land or ferry if they have proof of vaccination. Tourists who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be able to cross the border.

The second phase will begin in early January 2022. The U.S. will require all essential and non-essential travellers to be fully vaccinated in order to cross the land or sea border. This includes essential travellers like truckers, students, and healthcare workers.

There are currently no exact dates as to when the new travel rules will go into effect.

Congressman Brian Higgins, who has long been advocating for the border to reopen, applauded the move. He tweeted that it will be good for businesses and families who have been affected by the closure, especially those in border towns.