Critics of the Canadian government have long argued that Canada has been far too cautious when it comes to travel and the coronavirus. But here’s something to think about; Canada is enacting more lenient entry rules than the United States.
The Canadian government on Thursday (March 17) announced that mandatory border tests for fully vaccinated residents and visitors will be dropped as of April 1.
But the U.S. still requires anyone heading to the States by air (land borders and ferry crossings are exempt) to provide a negative test result. The U.S. accepts rapid antigen tests, but those can still be a hassle for would-be visitors to the land of Uncle Sam.
As much as some Canadians lament the Justin Trudeau government’s handling of the travel industry and what they see as limits on their liberty, he appears to have heard the complaints and is adjusting the rules. The U.S., where a rejection of government regulations is commonplace, has far tougher rules in place, at least for now.
It’s time things changed on both sides of the border, says New York state Congressman Brian Higgins. In a letter to American President Joe Biden that was posted on his website. Higgins said it’s time for both governments to drop ALL border barriers.
“I applaud the news that most travelers entering Canada will not need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test as of April 1. I write to assert the need for the United States to go one step further and consider the elimination of current vaccination requirements for all travelers at land ports of entry, which inhibit cross-border travel, the flow of commerce, and create an unnecessary barrier to the eventual resumption of pre-pandemic cross-border activity.”
Editor’s note: I’ve looked around on the Internet the last two days and haven’t seen any comments that suggest a change in U.S. testing rules is imminent.
The rule change for Canada means Canadians can travel out of the country and not have to worry about finding an expensive COVID-19 test. They also don’t have to worry that they’ll be denied entry to the country because of a positive test result.
It also means foreign visitors can avoid pricey tests and the worry of testing positive.
It promises to be a major boon for airlines and tour companies that sell Canadians on trips to Europe, the sunny south, and other destinations. It also should go a long way to improving numbers for Canadian tour operators, hotel owners and restaurateurs. That’s especially true in big cities, which have been decimated by two years of a pandemic that has rocked the world.
Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said random airport testing will continue, and that travellers will still have to fill out an ArriveCAN app before entering the country. Duclos said fully vaccinated travellers who are randomly tested will not have to quarantine while awaiting their results.
Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test, government officials said in a press release.
Duclos said those who are partly vaccinated or un-vaccinated will have to take a PCR or molecular-style test upon arrival and again on day eight of their 14-day quarantine period.
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Hi Jim,
Good morning.
I live in Quebec bordering the state of New York. What l would like to know, is my Arrivcan required upon entry back to Canada after the 1st of April ? I am referring to a border crossing with less than eight hours across the border before my return.
As far as I know the time you are away doesn’t matter. If you leave the country you have to use the ArriveCAN to come back. I think so, anyway. I haven’t seen any officials talk about short trips, Madeline.