It's official: Canada will welcome fully vaccinated US tourists in August

Canada now has a date set for the return of tourism, thanks to rising vaccination rates and declining COVID-19 cases. The government said it will welcome vaccinated American visitors on August 6, before opening its borders to travelers from all countries on September 7, provided case numbers stay low.

"As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel," government officials said on Monday.

"This preliminary step allows for the Government of Canada to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7, 2021, and recognizes the many close ties between Canadians and Americans."

Toronto is in the second phase of Ontario's three-phase reopening plan ©Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

To be eligible to enter Canada, visitors must have have received their last dose of an accepted vaccine at least 14 days before departure. Accepted vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson. Travelers must uploaded proof of vaccination and test results to the ArriveCan app before boarding their flight to Canada.

They will also be required to present proof of an approved negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. From August 9, officials won't require follow-up tests on arrival from fully vaccinated travelers, unless they are randomly selected for health screening.

The Canadian border has been closed to nearly all Americans and foreign tourists since March 2020. But now Canada is prepared to throw its doors open after making progress with its vaccination rollout after months of delays. According to Canada's official vaccine tracker, 50% of its eligible population is fully vaccinated and 69% have received at least one dose.

"Canadians' safety and security always come first. With rising vaccination rates and fewer cases in Canada, we can begin to safely ease border measures," said Patty Hajdu, the health minister. "A gradual approach to reopening will allow our health authorities to monitor the COVID-19 situation here and abroad." 

Canada began to relax some of its strict border rules on July 5, permitting fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents entering Canada for non-essential purposes, as well as foreign nationals traveling to Canada for approved or essential purposes, to skip hotel quarantine.

Under the updated system, these arrivals are still required to meet some public health measures, including presenting proof of full vaccination and proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before travel, in addition to taking a second test upon arrival until August 9.

While Canada is preparing to open its borders to its neighbors in August, the US government is yet to announce plans to renew or change its own border restrictions with Canada.