U.S. will allow land entry again as soon as border crossings open on Nov. 8
CBC
The United States will reopen its land border to fully vaccinated travellers as soon as ports of entry open on Nov. 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced at a press briefing on Tuesday.
That means ports of entry open 24 hours will accept vaccinated travellers when the clock strikes midnight, while the others will accept travellers as soon as they open that day.
The U.S. has kept its shared land border with Canada closed to non-essential travel since the start of the pandemic in March, 2020. But on Nov. 8, for the first time in 19 months, the U.S. is set to welcome back travellers by land and passenger ferry — as long as they're fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
CBP confirmed travellers entering by land will not have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, but said they should be prepared to verbally attest to their vaccination status, and present their vaccination documentation upon request.
To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization.
WHO-approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca and its Indian-made counterpart, Covishield. The U.S. will also accept any combination of these vaccines, such as a mix of AstraZeneca and Moderna.
Children under 18 years of age will be exempt from the vaccination requirement.
CBP says its border crossings will be staffed at pre-pandemic levels starting on Nov. 8, but warns there could be longer than normal wait times.
"For travellers making the trip to the United States, we ask for patience with our officers," said Matthew Davies, the executive director, admissibility and passenger programs, with CBP. "To help reduce wait times and long lines, we encourage travellers to have the correct documentation ready."
In March 2020, Canada and the United States agreed to close their shared land border to non-essential travel to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
It was widely assumed that — when the time was right — the two countries would announce a joint reopening of the land border.
But that didn't happen.
Instead, Canada reopened its land border to fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9, 2021 while the U.S. remained silent on its border plans. That sparked anger and frustration among Canadians who wanted to cross into the U.S. by land, including those with family in U.S. border towns.
Now that the land border is reopening, it has provided relief to many, including Canadian snowbirds who want to drive to the U.S. sunbelt for their winter stay.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.