Fully vaccinated Americans may enter Canada from mid-August

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Canada may start allowing fully vaccinated Americans into Canada from mid-August for non-essential travel and should be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September.

Trudeau spoke with Canadian provincial leaders and his office released a reading of the call. He noted that if Canada’s current positive trajectory of vaccination rate and public health conditions continues, the border could open.

“Canada will be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September,” the statement said. “He noted ongoing discussions with the United States about reopening plans, and noted that we can expect to begin allowing fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada from mid-August for non-essential travel.”

Trudeau noted that Canada continues to lead the G20 countries in vaccination rates with nearly 80% of eligible Canadians vaccinated with their first dose and more than 50% of eligible Canadians fully vaccinated. He said the numbers of cases and severe diseases continue to decline across the country as vaccination rates continue to rise

In the early days of the pandemic, the US and Canadian governments closed borders over 5,500 miles (8,800 km) to non-essential traffic. With vaccination rates increasing and infection rates declining, some were alarmed that the two governments had not made detailed plans to fully reopen the borders.

Canada began easing its restrictions earlier this month, allowing fully vaccinated Canadians or legal permanent residents to return to Canada without quarantine. But among the requirements is a negative test for the virus before returning, and another once he returns.

Pressure has mounted on Canada to continue easing border restrictions, which have been in place since March last year.

Providing waivers for travel to Canada amid the pandemic is politically sensitive, and Trudeau is expected to call a federal election next month.

Trudeau said his ministers would exchange more details on the border early next week.

Commercial traffic has moved back and forth naturally between the two countries since the start of the pandemic. Canadians can travel to the United States with a negative COVID-19 test.

The American Travel Association estimates that the cost of closing the borders each month is $1.5 billion. Canadian officials say Canada welcomed about 22 million foreign visitors in 2019 — about 15 million of them from the United States.

Tom Webb, a 63-year-old retired US Navy pilot from Orchard Park, New York, said he’s seriously considering selling his cottage in Georgian Bay, Ontario after he couldn’t make it for nearly two years. was vaccinated. “I am very disappointed,” he said.

Canadian officials have said they would like 75% of eligible Canadian residents to receive a full vaccination before easing border restrictions for tourists and business travelers. The Canadian government expects to have enough vaccine delivered for 80% of eligible Canadians to be fully vaccinated by the end of July. The United States only allowed the export of vaccines to Canada in early May.

Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to win an exemption to allow home games to be played in Toronto starting July 30. Allowing unvaccinated players to enter the country remains a sticking point but protocols will be in place. The Blue Jays played home games during their abbreviated 2020 season in Buffalo, New York and started this season in Dunedin, Florida, before moving to Buffalo.

The Canadian government has not allowed the team to play at home in Toronto due to the risk of the spread of COVID-19, citing the frequent travel required in the United States during baseball season.

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