CANADA OPENING BORDER FOR VACCINATED TRAVELLERS; U.S. KEEPING BORDER CLOSED FOR NOW
For Immediate Release
Ohiarihko:wa/July 23, 2021
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe are providing an update to the community on the U.S. – Canada border closure.
Canada has announced that as of August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated American citizens will be allowed into Canada for non-essential travel (leisure, shopping, entertainment, etc.) A negative COVID-19 test is still required prior to entry or return to Canada, and vaccinated individuals will be selected at random for on-arrival COVID-testing at land and air ports of entry. On September 7, 2021, citizens from other countries will also be allowed to enter Canada if vaccinated.
The United States has announced that they are not yet opening up their border to any non-American citizens travelling for non-essential purposes. The U.S. will keep their border closed until at least August 21, 2021 at which time the next update or extension will be provided.
Akwesasne residents who are registered status Indians in Canada have been exempt from the border closure since it was first declared; Akwesasronon have been permitted to continue crossing the border for both essential and non-essential purposes without COVID-19 testing or quarantine. This exemption for Akwesasne residents is unchanged. However, anyone visiting Akwesasne from other places of residence will be required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test when arriving to Canada by land or air. Those who are not vaccinated will also be required to quarantine.
The Canada Border Services Agency is advising the community that traffic may increase at the Cornwall Port of Entry resulting in some adjustments to staffing, lanes and fluctuating wait times. The Domestic Lane pilot will continue to operate and the public is encouraged to use this lane when travelling domestically from Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island).
To find out more about the requirements for non-Akwesasronon arriving to Canada, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/07/easing-border-measures-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada—permitting-discretionary-travel-for-citizens-and-permanent-residents-of-th.html
To find out more about the requirements for non-Akwesasronon arriving to the United States, please visit: https://www.usa.gov/covid-passports-and-travel
072321-MCA-SRMT-JOINT-RELEASE-Canada-US-Border-Update