NORTH COUNTRY PUBLIC RADIO - Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to cross the Canadian border beginning on Aug. 9.
Canadian officials announced the easing of border restrictions at a press briefing on Monday afternoon.
"Thanks to the hard work of Canadians who have followed public health measures and stepped up to get vaccinated when it was their turn, we are in a much stronger position to be able to further ease border measures for fully vaccinated travelers," said Canada's Health Minister Patty Hajdu.
Americans and permanent residents living in the U.S. will need to have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before entering Canada. About a month after easing restrictions with the U.S., all fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter Canada beginning on Sept. 7.
Children younger than 12 will be allowed to enter Canada with their parents or guardians if they follow public health guidelines.
"We are all excited to reunite with friends and family," Hajdu said at Monday's briefing, "but if we’re going to be able to continue to see this progress, we need to continue to be safe, so please, if you haven’t already, get vaccinated.”
To date, nearly 80% of all eligible Canadians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 50% are fully vaccinated.
American officials have not said whether they plan to ease restrictions for Canadians traveling south into the United States.
The ban on all nonessential travel at the border was first put in place in March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. For the last 16 months, essential crossings have been permitted, including trade, commerce, and essential workers.