US reopens land border with Canada – KIRO 7 News Seattle

BLAINE, Washington – Fully vaccinated travelers from other countries can visit the United States again after officials lifted international travel restrictions almost 20 months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is especially important for Canadians who can now cross the Washington state border by car, train, or ferry without having to prove that the trip is essential.

“The people in my ward look forward to getting back together with loved ones. You have companies looking forward to welcoming people back to Canada, ”said Mayor Drew Dilkens of Windsor, Ontario.

The reopening is also good news for Washington’s border cities.

Despite the opening of the Canadian border to Americans on August 9, Canadians could not travel to the United States by land such as car, train, or ferry.

They were allowed to fly to the US, but that would bypass cities like Blaine, Ferndale, and Bellingham.

Last year, Blaine lost $ 750,000 in sales tax to the shutdown. Many people in Canada cross Washington for gasoline or groceries.

Going forward, those traveling to the US by land, sea, or air must be fully vaccinated with a US-approved vaccine.

Travelers flying to the United States must also present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel.

Some groups are exempt from vaccination regulations, including international travelers under the age of 18, tourists from countries where vaccines are not widely used, and those with medical contraindications, according to CNBC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services provide a full list of exceptions here.

The new rules also tighten the test requirements for unvaccinated air travelers. While vaccinated passengers must show a negative test within three days of their flight, unvaccinated tourists do not need to have taken that test more than a day before their flight to the United States, CNBC reported.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is not required for anyone entering the United States by land or sea.

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