Canada plans to reopen to American tourists by mid-August, other countries by September
Canada is looking to reopen its borders to Americans by next month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that Canada could begin allowing American tourists starting in mid-August.
The move to reopen Canada to Americans for leisure reasons would mark a major step in the reopening of the border between the two nations, which has largely remained shut since March 2020.
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However, in order for Canada to reopen its borders to Americans, it's reliant upon the continuation of its successful vaccination rollout program. Additionally, confirmed COVID-19 cases within the country remaining should remain at already-low levels in order for Trudeau to considering reopening borders with America.
Related: Canada has loosened restrictions for some individuals, but tourism is still on hold
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trudeau told premiers on Thursday that government officials from both countries were in talks to open the land border to tourists. When the border does reopen, Canada will first welcome U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated before reopening to vaccinated travelers from other countries in September.
"Canada would be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September," a statement from a teleconference between Trudeau and leaders within the country detailed.
Last month, the U.S. and Canada agreed to extend a ban on non-essential crossings between the two countries for another 30-day period — until 21 July. There's a chance that date could be delayed once again.
Earlier this month, Canada made the first move in easing restrictions — but only for Canadians. As of July 5, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been fully vaccinated can skip mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival into Canada. Additionally, those entering by air no longer need to spend their first three days in the country at a government-approved hotel.
"We all love to accelerate the processes, but we are going to be grounded in what is safe, grounded in science, because it would be catastrophic and heartbreaking to go back into lockdown as some countries are now looking at given surges in the Delta variant," Trudeau said earlier this week.
First Ministers in Canada supported Trudeau's planning to reopen to fully vaccinated American tourists by mid-August.
Canada has maintained that it would ease border restrictions after 75% of its residents have been fully vaccinated. To date, about 70% of Canadians have received one dose of a vaccine. About 46% of the population is fully vaccinated.
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