BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Starting Monday, August 9, Canada will open its border to fully vaccinated Americans. Anyone crossing will need proof of vaccination as well as a negative COVID test with 72 hours of crossing.
"In Erie County, we are going to be offering testing for people who want to travel into Canada," said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr Gale Burstein. As of Friday, August 6, you can call and make an appointment
with the Erie County Department of Health. Appointments would begin next week. "We're offering the type of rapid testing that will make you eligible, if you're negative, to cross the border," she said.
Not just any Covid test is acceptable. Canada is requiring a molecular test, a diagnostic PCR test or a rapid diagnostic test. If you're traveling with children, kids four years old and younger don't have to get a test.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, said the county anticipates an increase in calls for testing and as a result, is increasing its staffing at county testing testing sites. "The one thing I will note is that you have to be vaccinated to cross the border and have a negative Covid test. If you are unvaccinated, even if you have a negative Covid test, they will not allow you to cross the border," said Poloncarz. The number to call to schedule a test with the Erie County Department of Health is 716-858-2929. There is no fee for a test at an Erie County testing site.
In addition, all travelers entering Canada must use ArriveCAN. That includes children. Kids under 12 cannot be vaccinated. Immigration Attorney Jamie Fiegel of Fiegel, Carr and Joyce, says anyone under 12 has to be accompanied by a vaccinated parent. "But if they are over 12 and eligible to be vaccinated, they need to be vaccinated in order to enter Canada." You’ll need to submit your information within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada. ArriveCAN is available to download as a mobile app or you can create an account and sign in online.
Once you arrive at the border, you may be subject to taking another Covid test at the border. There is no fee for the arrival test according to Canadian officials.
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The border opens at the stroke of midnight Monday and a lot of property owners and border families plan to be at the bridge at 11:59pm according to Fiegel.
The United States is developing a plan that may require nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of eventually lifting travel restrictions that bar much of the world from entering the United States. The plan is still in development. The U.S. border remains closed to Canadian travelers through at least August 21.
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