| Washington Post
The world’s longest international border reopened to American travelers this summer. On August 9, Canada began welcoming tourists from the United States again, making them the first non-essential travelers to set foot in the country since the pandemic began.
For some Americans, the reopening allows for not only a return to sightseeing, but a reunion with family as well.
Americans can feel relatively safe coming to Canada, which has one of the most highly vaccinated populations in the world. More than 80% of people aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated.
The Canadian hospitality industry spent this summer preparing for the return of American travelers who historically fueled much of the country’s tourism.
“Canadian companies are excited and ready to welcome back our US friends and family,” said Liz Sperandeo, a spokeswoman for Destination Canada. “The travel industry has invested billions in health and hygiene protocols, staff retraining, and experience redesign to prepare for visitors.”
When planning a trip to the Great White North, here are some things to know before you pack your bags.
How to get there
In order to enter Canada for non-essential purposes, Americans must present both proof of vaccination and a negative coronavirus test (such as a PCR test) performed within 72 hours prior to their scheduled departure time. Travelers who have recovered from Covid-19 may instead have a positive test done between 14 and 180 days earlier.
Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 12 are only exempt from quarantine if they have a proven medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated and adhere to public health measures provided in a handout at the border. Those who are not exempted are allowed to travel by land, but must be quarantined and take a test on the 8th day.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to enter the country, you can take a quick online quiz on the Government of Canada website.
When it comes to doing your molecular test, make sure you don’t cut it short with this 72 hour timing; You could end up paying for a replacement test if your test is invalid by even 10 minutes. Daryl Silver, president of Continental Travel Group, said it was “really, very helpful” to have a hard copy of your test results as gate agents want to review them before you get your boarding pass. And after his own trip to Canada, Silver recommended that gate agents also obtain and present a physical boarding pass.
Two other important things are your original vaccination certificate and the ArriveCAN app. Travelers must upload photo proof to the app up to 72 hours before departure. ArriveCAN also lets travelers answer questions to help simplify the customs process and create a backup plan in case they are not approved for the Canadian exemption.
The app “is very straightforward, very simple, and easy to use,” said Silver.
What you should know about restrictions
Once you’ve crossed the Canadian border, there is one more thing you may need to do before your vacation begins: get tested (again). Canada randomly tests vaccinated travelers arriving by land or air. You can get tested on site or submit a self-test within 24 hours. More information can be found here.
If the test is negative, you are free to start your trip as planned – although the Canadian government asks you to document all close contacts within the first 14 days. If you test positive for the coronavirus or show symptoms, you will need to quarantine yourself for 14 days in the location specified in your ArriveCan quarantine plan. On the eighth day, you will then have to take another coronavirus test, which you have to pass in order to leave the quarantine.
From October 30th, all passengers on planes, cruise lines and trains between provinces must be vaccinated. There will be a short transition period before November 30th during which travelers can present results of a recent molecular test in lieu of a proof of vaccination.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a national vaccination record system to be rolled out over the next few months, starting in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and the Yukon.
The other provinces have their own vaccination record systems – which you can find out more about here – but will soon join the national system.
Many restaurants and events require proof of vaccination, but do inquire in advance so you can avoid complications.
Mask requirements exist in some Canadian provinces, although restrictions vary by region. They are also encouraged indoors and at large gatherings in areas where masking is not required.
Eat and discover
Canada’s vast natural landscapes – from the Rocky Mountains to the Maritimes – offer wonderful places for camping or a day trip. In the cities, take advantage of the beautiful new terrace areas along the streets for drinks and food. While restaurant, museum and tour reservations are a must in many places in Europe and the US, travelers to Canada will find it a lot easier to be spontaneous, experts said.
One thing shouldn’t be played by ear: car rental. Canada, like the US, is facing a shortage of rental cars as many companies sold their fleets during the pandemic. Book your rental car several weeks in advance to grab one before it sells out.
Sperandeo said American tourism will be vital to Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Historically, Americans made up 68% of the country’s international overnight guests, and Destination Canada predicts they will account for 54% of all international tourism over the next four years.
Jeff Doane, Accor Hotel Group’s chief commercial officer for North and Central America, said many Canadian hotels are ready and waiting for American tourists.
“The great thing about Canada is that it has a California population and is bigger than the United States, so there’s a lot of great nature out there,” Doane said. “It’s a great place to go out and explore.”
Where can I get a coronavirus test before returning home?
As with their flights to Canada, American travelers must submit a negative test before boarding the plane home. For vaccinated Americans, this must be done three days before returning home. For the unvaccinated, it’s a day.
For information on where to find tests, visit the U.S. Embassy website. Another option is to pack a test at home before you leave. You do these tests via a video call to a doctor.
Most major airports in Canada have resources where to get tested in or near the airport, so do your research to find the best price and location for you. The tests can be quite expensive, ranging from $ 120 to $ 250, depending on the testing site and how far in advance you book. You can also pack a home test to take before you leave.
According to Marc Atchison, editor-in-chief of TraveLife magazine, many Canadians are cautious about reopening the border as the Delta variant increases and the United States remains closed to Canadian tourists.
But “on the whole,” he said, “I think Canadians will be very happy to see our American cousins. It will be a sure sign that normal times are returning.”
