BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - When the Canadian border opens at the stroke of midnight Monday to vaccinated Americans, get ready for lines.
"I know a number of people, mainly property owners, who plan to be at the border at 11:59pm Sunday night," said attorney Jamie Fiegel with Fiegel, Carr & Joyce. "It may be the best time to cross, or the worst," she said.
Monday will mark the first time in 17 months that fully vaccinated, non-essential Americans can enter Canada.
Prior to the pandemic, a traveler simply needed a passport or an enhanced driver's license to cross.
The process has become much more complex, due to Covid.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:
*all travelers, age 5 and older, need provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival.
*all travelers need to register with ArriveCAN, a free app on your phone or you can create an account online (and print a hard copy).
*all travelers need regular travel documents (passport or enhanced driver's license, Vaccine card, ArriveCAN status)
*once you arrive in Canada, you may be selected to take another Covid test at random
*Have a backup plan in the event you need to quarantine.
"If you do not have everything you need, you could receive a rejection and be returned to the United States," said border attorney Jamie Fiegel with Fiegel, Carr & Joyce.
Fiegel notes that labor strife is making crossing the border more difficult. Border guards are carrying out 'work-to-rule' action due to the lack of a contract. "In the last couple of days it appeared they were practicing," said Fiegel. She and another attorney from her office as well as a circle of friends were getting hassled over the ArriveCAN app. One person was told they could face a $3,000 fine if the app is not updated each time they cross.
This is happening with essential travelers, and on Monday when non-essential travelers begin lining up, the slow downs could get worse. "It's going to affect everyone," said Fiegel. "Canadian citizens returning to their country, essential travelers, and truck traffic. It's going to be very, very difficult. Unless someone has a really good reason for going, it might be impractical for them to attempt to enter Canada at this point," she said.
"You need a 100% perfect Covid test said Fiegel. It has to be within 72 hours. It has to be the right test. Not all tests qualify. Next, you need the ArriveCAN app and proof of vaccination."
Everyone traveling to Canada needs to have the ArriveCAN app, even children. A lot of families get the app for the parents, but don't think it's necessary for children, but it is. "Log-on for each child and print out a hard copy for your arrival at the border."
Children under age 12 are not eligible be vaccinated. Fiegel says they can cross as long as they are accompanied by a vaccinated parent. "This is important," she said. If they are over age 12 and are eligible to be vaccinated, they need to be vaccinated to enter Canada. If they're 12 or older and have choosen not to get vaccinated, they cannot enter Canada without quarantine.
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