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Rep. Higgins: White House indicates U.S. land border will reopen to vaccinated Canadians November 8

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Posted at 10:12 AM, Oct 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-18 15:32:10-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to Congressman Brian Higgins (D - NY26) the White House indicates the U.S. land border will reopen to vaccinated Canadians on November 8.

Tuesday the United States Department of Homeland Security announced land borders would reopen to those who are fully vaccinated for nonessential travel in November.

The reopening will take place in two phases. Phase one will open the border to nonessential travel from Canada and Mexico in November. The second phase starts in January and will allow travel through land and ferry ports of entry from other foreign nationals.

The border closed to nonessential travel in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and reopened to vaccinated Americans on August 9, 2021.

According to a release from the Canada Border Services Agency, border measures will remain in place for those entering or returning to Canada. You can find more information here.

Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests”, are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.

For short trips, that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.
- Canada Border Services Agency

The CDC has updated guidance on the vaccines accepted as proof of vaccination as well. You can find more information here.