With just a week to go before the reopening of the U.S. land border, American authorities have cleared up two remaining issues that would have a big impact on many Canadians planning to travel to the U.S. in the coming months.
No COVID Tests Required for Land, Water Arrivals
The first is the lack of clarity about whether those driving into the U.S. would require a negative COVID test.
As the new rules go into effect 08NOV, air arrivals will have to be fully vaccinated and present a negative antigen COVID test.
Last week, as Open Jaw reported, there were media reports that the CDC hadn’t yet ruled out the possibility of also requiring a negative antigen test from fully vaccinated land border arrivals.
U.S. officials clarified the new policy late Friday.
Travellers arriving at a U.S. land or marine border crossing will only be required to be fully vaccinated. Negative COVID tests will not be required at land or ferry terminal entry points.
“We are pleased to take another step toward easing travel restrictions at our borders in a manner that strengthens our economy and protects the health and safety of the American public,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a media release.
American officials announced previously that any WHO-approved vaccine, as well as mixed vaccines, would be accepted.
That final piece of the puzzle now clarifies what rules Canadians will have to follow to travel to the U.S. beginning next week by air, land, or water.
No Quarantines for Unvaccinated Youth
On the weekend, the CDC also clarified its position about unvaccinated border arrivals under 18 years of age. Previous guidance had indicated children who were not yet vaccinted due to differing adoption of vaccines for young people in various countries, would be required to quarantine for one week following their arrival in the U.S.
That quarantine requirement has now been dropped.
“Based on the potential difficulty that self-quarantine may pose to children under 18 years of age especially when accompanied by a vaccinated parent or guardian who is not required to self-quarantine, CDC has determined that self-quarantine should not be required,” an update on the health authority’s web site reads.
However, reports say that an amended order signed by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, does still require unvaccinated travellers under the age of 18 to be tested 3-5 days after arrival.
