Canadian Railroads > Canada ending border restrictions as of October 1st

This is not a surprise as it has been rumoured for a while. Now it is official.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/arrivecan-border-covid-end-1.6595710

 

Excellent news.

-John

Wonderful!!  Now perhaps can take my unvaced wife for a ride on the Canadian before long!!

About time.  Since the Chinese can't contain COVID by locking down millions in cities, we should just get vaxxed and boosted and go about life.

Last month, I traveled to Canada.  Other than having to submit information through the ArriveCan form (which was a pain), I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly everything else went.  There was a wait at customs, but once we got up to the customs officials, they basically just waved us through.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/22 20:03 by RuleG.

I was skeptical they would end this charade so soon. Very hesitant to book travel though knowing how irrational they have acted.

We had made multiple trips to Canada over the last decade and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This included a trip on the Canadian in February, 2020 when Covid was quickly spreading around the world. After a 3 year break, it may be awhile before we head back. That's too bad, but there's plenty to see in the good ole' USA.

Posted from Android

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was skeptical they would end this charade so
> soon. Very hesitant to book travel though knowing
> how irrational they have acted.
>
> We had made multiple trips to Canada over the last
> decade and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This
> included a trip on the Canadian in February, 2020
> when Covid was quickly spreading around the world.
> After a 3 year break, it may be awhile before we
> head back. That's too bad, but there's plenty to
> see in the good ole' USA.
>
> Posted from Android

September 30 was the date the current requirements were supposed to end. So they could either renew them or just let them lapse. They choose the latter.

Now, what requirements does the US still have for crossing from Canada to the US? Vaccinated? Negative test?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/22 21:19 by PHall.

I don't think there will be any requirements to enter Canada come Oct 1, excpet maybe wearing masks. The Arrive Canada app will be voluntary. (Never volunteer). 

I think that masks are going too. I was delighted to hear that the Biden mask mandate was struck down in April, I was able to fly over from the UK without having to forcibly wear a useless piece of cloth over my face

Posted from Android

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think there will be any requirements to
> enter Canada come Oct 1, excpet maybe wearing
> masks. The Arrive Canada app will be voluntary.
> (Never volunteer). 

The only point of voluntarily completing ArriveCan as of the beginning of October is to simplify the customs declaration. It can be entered on ArriveCan if arriving at certain major airports which should save time at the border. Otherwise there is no point in anyone completing it.

I used ArriveCan only once and that was on a Vancouver-based cruise to Alaska. The proof of vaccination (required by both the Canadian and US governments and also the Cunard Line) was entered. on ArriveCan along with passport information. The purser's office collected customs forms from all passengers prior to arrival. On arrival back in Canada the border officials took only a few minutes with the purser and they cleared the ship. Everyone went ashore without speaking to an official. It was very efficient.

I thought you needed a passport to travel btw the U.S. and Canada? Wasn't this something they instituted a few years before Covid?

Victor B.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/22 01:35 by wabash2800.

Yes, passport is necessary.

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> I thought you needed a passport to travel btw the
> U.S. and Canada? Wan't this something they
> instituted a few years before Covid?

That kicked-in soon after 9/11.

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> Yes, passport is necessary.

For ground transportation, a $30 Passport Card is sufficient. 

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Now, what requirements does the US still have for
> crossing from Canada to the US? Vaccinated?
> Negative test?

US Customs and Border Protection requires that Canadians show proof of vaccination if asked. A friend of mine encountered that at the Aldergrove, B.C., border crossing on Sunday.  He volunteered that he was fully vaccinated and was not asked for proof, but the border agent told him that "many" Canadians were being turned back because they could not show proof if asked. Their assumption was that because Canada had dropped its restrictions, the U.S. had also done so, but that is not the case.

The USA is becoming an outlier as one of the few major countries still requiring proof of Covid vaccination. Thankfully most of the world is moving on....

I used the App when my wife and I went to Sault St Marie to ride the Agawa Canyon Train. Great ride BTW. I thought it was easy to use and after a quick passport check at the border we just zipped through customs. But agree now it will be easier.

Randy in PHX

Posted from iPhone

SD70M Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think that masks are going too. I was delighted
> to hear that the Biden mask mandate was struck
> down in April, I was able to fly over from the UK
> without having to forcibly wear a useless piece of
> cloth over my face
>

"Useless" you say?  Thankfully I have been treated by an excellent and highly educated GP and respirologist and don't have to rely on railfans for medical advice.