US to lift land border restrictions for vaccinated travelers
The U.S. and Vermont flags in the mid-day sun. Vermont and other northern states have been advocating for the U.S. to allow non-essential travel from Canada for weeks. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
U.S. officials have announced plans to lift land border restrictions in November for fully vaccinated foreign nationals. All U.S.-bound travelers over land borders will have to show proof of vaccination before crossing.
Current restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from governors and other groups to allow non-essential land travel, citing pressure on commerce, citizens and the economy.
In an announcement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the administration next month "will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings."
In early January, as part of a two-phase approach to ease land border restrictions, proof of vaccination will also be required for all travelers entering the U.S. for essential reasons. “This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated,” Mayorkas explained.
For weeks, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has added his voice to the pressure from state officials, during a scheduled Tuesday call between governors and the White House. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State raised the question again during that Tuesday call. The White House started putting the word out about the announcement late Tuesday, though no precise November date was given for the change.
In a statement, Scott said the border announcement was good news for many Vermont residents and communities.
“Vermont and Canada are not just neighbors, our communities are linked by family, friends, social and cultural connections, natural resources, commerce and more,” Scott said. “Reopening the land border will allow our communities to reunite, after being separated for nearly two years.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, echoed that sentiment, saying the change “will provide great relief to those waiting to see friends and loved ones from Canada,” according to Reuters.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, added, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of our shared cross-border community have felt the pain and economic hardship of the land border closures,” as quoted in The Buffalo News. “That pain is about to end.”
The exact date in early November for this major change in land travel restrictions will be coming “very soon”, Reuters reported, quoting a Biden administration official. Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from crossing the U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico.
As for Canada-bound travelers, restrictions remain in place there as well. All travelers going into Canada must submit proof of vaccination and be tested for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before arrival. More information on Canada’s border-crossing restrictions, including the required testing, are at this link.
— Gareth Henderson
