If you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, land and sea travel into the United States is a reality again.
The border is back open to non-essential travellers, including from Canada, Monday after being closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before you go, make sure to file your information through the ArriveCAN App and have your proof of vaccination ready either in digital or print form.
Children under 18 years of age will be exempt from the vaccination requirement as long as they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.
You do not need a negative COVID-19 test to cross the border but everyone five years and older will be required to perform a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours of the border crossing.
Those under the age of 12 must also quarantine for 14 days after arrival regardless of their test result, which means not attending school, camp or daycare, or crowded places, such as public transportation.
Meantime, some Canadians are raising concerns about the testing requirement.
Families say it is too expensive to factor into their travel plans and reunion trips with family south of the border. Businesses are worried it will keep travellers away from their stores.
It will cost you at least $150 for a swab.
New York Congressman Brian Higgins is holding a press conference on Monday with leaders from both sides of the border to call for the rule to be dropped.
Ottawa says a review is underway.
Canada has allowed non-essential travel over its border for fully-vaccinated Americans since August 9th.
With files from Vasilios Bellos, Kevin Jeffrey, and Skye Bryden-Blom.
