THUNDER BAY – It’s a day many Canadians have been waiting for nearly 20 months to arrive.
But the reopening of the American land border to southbound traffic comes with a cautionary warning from Canadian border officials.
While fully vaccinated Canadians will be allowed to journey to the United States at land and ferry points, starting on Monday, stringent re-entry regulations remain in place for those wishing to return home.
First and foremost, in order to enter Canada, everyone must present a negative pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test, taken with 72 hours of arrival at the Canadian border.
Rapid antigen tests, which cost as little as $40 at some local pharmacies, will not be accepted. However they can be used by air passengers to fly into the United States.
There is no testing requirement for those driving into the U.S.
Anyone entering Canada must also upload digital proof of vaccination using the free ArriveCAN app, along with their negative test result.
Non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated Canadians and those otherwise permitted entry into the country, will still be required to take a Day-8 molecular COVID-19 test and will have to quarantine for 14 days.
Private molecular tests range from $150 to $300.
The Canadian government says the requirement for a PCR test will remain in place for now, but calls are coming from both sides of the border to drop the need for the costly test and the feds are reviewing it.
Canada re-opened its land border on Aug. 9.
