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A senior minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government said on Monday that while the US administration will make its own border appeal, Canada is eagerly awaiting to hear about US changes.
“We hope that at the right time, the US government can change its border measures, however, we respect that it is their decision,” Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters after the announcement. “We will continue to work in a privileged manner with the Americans and we hope to hear from them soon.”
Your move, United States: Canadian officials said they were in constant contact with their American counterparts, but had no information on how the United States might proceed.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was questioned later Monday about the plan to reopen the Canadian border.
“We continue to review our travel restrictions,” Psaki told reporters in Washington. “Any decision to reopen travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. We take this incredibly seriously. We watch and are guided by our own medical experts. I wouldn’t consider it through reciprocal intent.”
Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, who joined his cabinet colleagues at Monday’s press conference, said he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro last Friday. Mayorkas, of Ottawa’s plan to ease border restrictions.
“He told me, at the moment, that they hadn’t made a decision yet,” Blair said of his conversation with Mayorkas. “They anticipate that their current measures will likely be renewed on July 21. They are obviously considering additional measures and data, but at this time they have not indicated a plan to make changes to their current border restrictions.”
Rapid background dose: Calls to reopen the Canada-U.S. Border have come from both countries, including lawmakers, business leaders and separated families since the restrictions were put in place in March 2020.
The vaccination rate in Canada has exceeded that of the United States in recent days, while the number of cases and hospitalizations have plummeted. Border rules, however, will only be relaxed over the next few weeks if Canada’s epidemiology remains favorable, the federal government has said.
Monday’s details follow Trudeau’s statement last week that further reopening steps were underway.
Officials said the monthly bilateral agreement keeping the restrictions in place, which is due to expire on Wednesday, will be renewed and amended in time for the August 9 changes.
Here’s a quick guide to adjustments along the way at the Canadian border:
Traveling to Canada: Beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 9, fully immunized U.S. citizens and permanent residents residing in the United States will be permitted to enter Canada for non-essential travel.
Canada will continue to deny entry to those who have not yet been fully vaccinated, unless they are already exempt under the Quarantine Act.
Fully vaccinated travelers from other parts of the world will get the green light on September 7.
Go through the door: To enter Canada, travelers must have received their full set of vaccines – approved by Health Canada – at least 14 days before arriving at the border.
The approved vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Canadian officials say they are actively exploring whether to eventually accept people who have received doses of other vaccines.
People arriving in Canada must provide proof of their vaccination in English, French or a certified translation in addition to the original. Travelers will also need to upload Covid-related information, including proof of vaccination, through the ArriveCan app or web portal prior to their departure for Canada.
Visitors must also be asymptomatic on arrival and meet pre-entry screening requirements, including a new border program that randomly selects people to take a Covid test on the day of arrival.
If travelers do not meet all the conditions, they are required to have an appropriate quarantine plan ready to be presented at the border.
Traveling with children: Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 traveling with fully vaccinated parents will no longer have to perform a 14-day quarantine.
However, these children will have to follow strict rules such as avoiding groups for the first 14 days after arrival. They must also take tests on the first and eighth days after entering Canada.
More airports: Canada also announced that it will expand its list of airports that will receive international flights.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra told reporters that airports in Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton will now accept flights from other countries.
How is the reopening of Canada going: Health Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters on Monday that of the more than 63,000 fully vaccinated Canadians who have returned to Canada since the government relaxed its quarantine rules earlier this month, “less than 10 people” have tested positive for Covid-19.
Going forward, Hajdu said public health officials will continue to monitor key data, including vaccination rates, hospitalizations and the progress of the virus and variants in other countries.
Any setback could affect Canada’s border plans.
“This virus has thrown a lot of curved balls at us,” she said.
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