Canada has loosened restrictions for some individuals, but tourism is still on hold
Editor's Note
Canada and the U.S. have taken the first steps toward reopening borders, but tourism is still on hold for now.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed during the G-7 Summit in June that he spoke with President Joe Biden about "coordinating measures at our borders as both our countries move ahead with mass vaccination," Reuters reported, and some restrictions on select individuals began loosening on July 5, 2021.
But the two countries previously agreed to extend the nonessential travel ban between the U.S. and Canada through July 21, 2021, so leisure travel to and from Canada is still out of reach for now.
Here's what we know so far.
First phase of reopening has begun
As of July 5, Canada is allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country without the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Additionally, those who enter the country via air won't have to stay for three days at a government-approved hotel.
You'll need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days to be eligible for quarantine exemption, and all travelers will have to upload proof of vaccination through the ArriveCan app.
All other eligible travelers (including non-vaccinated citizens and permanent residents; people registered under Canada's Indian Act; protected persons; select foreign nationals traveling for essential reasons; and immediate family members of Canadian citizens or residents) will still be required to adhere to the full testing and quarantine protocols.
Related: Canada extends border closure to the U.S. through July 21
Leisure travel is still banned
Unfortunately, the border will remain closed to tourism and other nonessential travel until at least July 21. And the border closure has been pushed back on a near-monthly basis, so there's also no guarantee that July 21 is the magic reopening date.
Trudeau has said he would like to wait until at least 75% of Canadians are fully vaccinated before reopening the border, but he's been facing pressure from officials to reopen sooner than that. As of July 5, more than 25 million people have received at least one dose, and just over 30% of the population 12 and older is fully vaccinated.
Allowing fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bypass the quarantine requirements is a step in the right direction, and hopefully fully vaccinated Americans will soon be allowed to visit Canada.
That said, Americans planning to visit Canada once the border reopens should still expect to jump through a few hoops before — such as taking a COVID-19 test and wearing a mask in public spaces.
Additional reporting by Madison Blancaflor.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees