The U.S.-Canadian border, closed to all but essential travel headed north since March 2020, may be seeing visitors soon. In remarks by Prime Minister Trudeau and announcements by other officials, the process has started with Trudeau saying he foresees allowing vaccinated U.S. visitors by mid-August.
Trudeau told provincial premiers that after Americans are allowed, “Canada would be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September.” Up to now, not only has non-essential travel been banned, but travelers entering Canada by air have had to quarantine for up to two weeks.
The Minister of Transport, in a separate announcement, moved up the re-opening date for cruise ships in Canadian waters from next February to November 1, 2021. That ban has also been in effect since March, 2020, and nearly canceled this year’s Alaska cruise season, which used Canadian ports. However, in practice, this move will have little effect on cruises, which normally are in a near lull from November through March, but it will allow cruise companies to be ready with their ships and to sell tickets with more assurance.
