Canada-U.S. land borders will open in November. Here’s what we know

Vaccinated travellers from other countries will be allowed entry into the U.S. in early January 2022.

The United States will reopen its land borders and ferry ports of entry with Canada and Mexico to fully vaccinated travellers next month, after being closed for nearly two years in the effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, vaccinated travellers from other countries will be allowed entry into the U.S. in early January 2022.

But Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday urged caution for Canadians planning on driving or taking the train to the U.S. for non-essential reasons, reiterating previous advice given by Dr. Eileen De Villa, medical officer of health for the City of Toronto.

“Do the things you need to do, and maybe hold back on doing the things that you just want to do,” Freeland said. “If we can keep on doing that for a few more weeks, Canada can really fully put COVID behind us.”

Here’s what we know and don’t know about the announcement so far.

White House officials have yet to provide a set date on when they will reopen their land borders. The current deadline for the U.S. to reopen its borders with Canada and Mexico is Oct. 21, but officials have said the closure will be extended to the early November reopening date.

No. Unlike the rules when it comes to flying from Canada to the U.S., those travelling via land will not have to present a recent negative COVID-19 test as long as they can prove they have received two doses of an authorized vaccine that has been authorized for use by either the World Health Organization or U.S. regulators.

Canada reopened its land borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents on Aug. 9, but travellers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Canada began allowing fully vaccinated travellers from other parts of the world into the country on Sept. 7.