CBSA urges travellers to learn land border crossing requirements: Here’s what you need to know

Windsor, Ont. -

The Canada Border Services Agency is issuing a travel advisory urging travellers to learn COVID-19 border measures and testing requirements ahead of changes next week.

On Nov. 8, the United States will begin allowing fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to enter the U.S. at land and ferry points of entry for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism.

“I think we may see an increase in Canadian travellers who have gone to the U.S. for recreational purposes and are now returning home, but we’re prepared on that end,” said Michael Prosia acting director for CBSA in the southern Ontario region.

The CBSA is reminding travellers that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.

Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. Canadian residents can check with their home province or territory about getting COVID-19 proof of vaccination to facilitate their return to Canada.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests”, are not accepted.
• Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.
• For short trips, that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days.

“So if somebody arrives without a valid pre arrival test they can be facing fines of over $6,000,” said Prosia. “So they would be forced to take a test on arrival and then again on day eight and they would need to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Canada.”

Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada are available online: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders.

“Enforcement to those regulations fall to the public health agency of Canada so in those types of situations where somebody may even be in slight noncompliance, we’ll make that referral to our colleagues at public health for them to make that decision,” Prosia said.

CBSA says travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures as the CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times.

- With files from CTV Windsor's Angelo Aversa