The United States plans to allow foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to cross its land borders starting in November, President Joe Biden’s administration announced earlier this month.
The United States’ land borders have been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020.
Canada has allowed fully vaccinated Americans to cross the border since Aug. 9, but the U.S. has, until now, not been willing to reciprocate.
The new opening comes with additional restrictions for some travelers who have been allowed to cross the border for essential travel. Starting in January, those travelers — including truck drivers, health care workers and students — will be required to provide proof of vaccination.
U.S. officials did not immediately say when in November the border would reopen to nonessential travel, nor did they describe what the border crossing process would entail.
The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated so far that it will require any more from travelers than that they are fully vaccinated.
Getting into Canada is another story.
Nonessential travelers, such as tourists or people visiting family and friends, must be fully vaccinated.
In addition, travelers over the age of 5 must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 molecular test result. Tests must be taken within 72 hours prior to entering Canada. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.
People who have already had Covid-19 and are symptom-free also may provide a positive test conducted at least 14 days and no more than 180 days before crossing into Canada.
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect date for Biden’s announcement.
