Pacific NW/AK/BC Canada to Open to U.S. Visitors on 8/9/21

[Posaune]

From the Bellingham Herald:

"After 16 months of border restrictions, fully vaccinated Americans are going to be able to visit Canada starting Monday, Aug. 9.

The Canadian government made the announcement on Monday, July 19. According to CTV News in Canada, Americans will need to show their vaccine card to border officials. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result, according to a news release from the Canadian government.

Unvaccinated American children under the age of 12 will be able to accompany a fully vaccinated parent or legal guardian and avoid the 14-day quarantine but must follow health guidelines for the region they are visiting.

“The government of Canada recognizes that people have been anxiously awaiting a re-opening of the border to the world. We have been fully engaged with our American counterparts given the deep economic and family ties between our two countries. Today’s announcement is another big step in our approach to easing border measures which is guided by facts, scientific evidence and the advice of our public health experts,” said Bill Blair, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in the news release.

There has not been an announcement from the U.S. government on whether it will follow a similar policy and allow Canadians into the U.S."

 

[Saintsman]

Also announced that Canada will reopen to international fully vaxed on September 7th

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Whats this mean for Canadians coming southbound? I assume if their vacinated, their government will let them back in without a quarantine?? We’ve been pretty low on Canadians around here, bring on the wave!!

 

[scott43]

That's up to the US. They will have their own access rules I imagine. I suspect there is some better cooperation these days.

 

[Bad Bob]

Road Trip!

September in Pernticton perhaps?

 

[Posaune]

Whats this mean for Canadians coming southbound? I assume if their vacinated, their government will let them back in without a quarantine?? We’ve been pretty low on Canadians around here, bring on the wave!!

There has not been an announcement from the U.S. government on whether it will follow a similar policy and allow Canadians into the U.S."

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I'm excited. Our ski club typically goes to the eastern townships over MLK weekend. The trip planning committee, unless they do something last minute has already I'm sure signed all the contracts for this coming ski season. We may just have to take ourselves there on MLK weekend. Love to ski Mont Orford, have had fun at Sutton. Owls Head was getting a little too fancy for us so may skip that one but this coming winter just got a little better. A return trip to Banff is also a possibility.

 

[scott43]

I would suggest caution around planning too far ahead this winter...

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I never book anything without a cancelation option anyway so all good.

 

[Mike Rogers]

It's about time!

 

[Wilhelmson]

Hopefully the US reciprocates soon.

Do many establishments like stores or restaurants in Canada require masks or vaccination cards?

 

[scott43]

Hopefully the US reciprocates soon.

Do many establishments like stores or restaurants in Canada require masks or vaccination cards?

We're only at 25% occupancy indoors and masks are required unless eating. Outdoors gatherings are currently restricted to 100. Notwithstanding the 25% indoors, otherwise no more than 25 people at an indoor gathering.

 

[babanff]

Hopefully the US reciprocates soon.

Do many establishments like stores or restaurants in Canada require masks or vaccination cards?

In Alberta basically all restrictions were lifted as of July 1… no masks, capacity restrictions, etc… pretty much feels like back to “normal”. BC is pretty much the same, a few restrictions still in place but very similar to AB, most restrictions were lifted July 1.

 

[scott43]

Apple is delaying their office opening to October due to rising covid numbers. So.....

 

[Jilly]

Quebec is talking about a "vaccine passport" for non essential business. Not official yet. It would be used to get into concerts, hockey games, casino's and bars.

Masks are still required there too I think, indoors.

 

[Posaune]

This in this morning's paper:

"Subject to limited exceptions, all travelers must use the ArriveCAN app or website to submit their travel information to Canadian officials before coming to the border crossing. The app/website will have users upload a variety of documents, including a photo of their vaccination card and COVID-19 test results. The app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play."

 

[Jilly]

The ArriveCAN has been around since things started. Any Canadian coming back in March 2020 had to have it.

 

[dovski]

Actually while the border to the US has been closed to cars/foot traffic you could always fly from Canada to the US and the US does not have a quarantine mandate like Canada. So really the US was already open and putting pressure on Canada to do the same thing.

 

[dovski]

This in this morning's paper:

"Subject to limited exceptions, all travelers must use the ArriveCAN app or website to submit their travel information to Canadian officials before coming to the border crossing. The app/website will have users upload a variety of documents, including a photo of their vaccination card and COVID-19 test results. The app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play."

So to add some color to this, I was going to go back when they launch the policy for vaccinated Canadians returnig to Canada, but here is the catch - lots of requirements and hoops to jump through, plus you do not get to submit any data to the ArriveCAN app until 3 days before you travel at which time it gives you a conditional ruling on whether or not you are exempt, actual decision is made at the border or upon arrival. As such you are required to have a two week quarantine plan just in case you do not qualify. Oh and to be clear they are kind of making up the rules as they go along so lots of uncertainty. As an FYI my brother and his family just returned to Canada for the summer and they went through this process, so not just making this up folks . I think if we give it a month or two and things get a little more formalized and streamlined this will work well. In other words we should be good for ski season, but this summer you will be the test cases and it may be chaotic.

 

[scott43]

My gut feeling is this rule may change on a moment's notice. If we get another surge in cases they may shut the border again. I don't think they have the same commitment as the US in allowing easy border movement. Just my feeling.. so be prepared..