Fully vaccinated Canadian travelers were finally able to cross into the United States for non-essential reasons on Monday through land or sea crossings.
This was the first time residents were able to travel down south since March of 2020 when the border closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the struggles Canadians have faced early on is the cost of the PCR test that is required to be taken 72 hours before entering back into Canada.
Kenora MP, Eric Melillo commented on the struggle in an interview today.
“The tests are quite expensive and for many people, it is still a barrier to travel,” said Melillo.
Melillo stated he wants to see the federal government remove the PCR testing requirement.
“The vast majority of people have followed the rules and guidelines, they’ve done their part to get vaccinated and I feel it’s time that federal policies better acknowledge that. The vaccines work and we should trust that plan,” concluded Melillo.
The average price of a PCR test is $100 or more, which has become costly for travelers.
For Canadians taking a trip less than 72 hours, they 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.
The United States is considering Canadians who have mixed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be fully vaccinated.
WHO-approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and its Indian-made counterpart, Covishield. So travelers with any combination of these vaccines will be allowed to enter the U.S.
Canadian’s entering into the United States for non-essential reasons do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
On October 12, 2021, the announcement was made by the US Department of Homeland Security to open the land and ferry crossings to Canada and Mexico.