Canada prepares to open its borders to vaccinated travelers by September

In an official statement on Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada is planning to reopen its borders to vaccinated travelers from all countries by September. 

“If our current positive path of vaccination rate and public health conditions continue, Canada would be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September,” he said in the statement. 

“We could expect to start allowing fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents into Canada as of mid-August for non-essential travel.” He further added. 

Canada had closed its borders during the onset of the pandemic. Earlier this month, Canadian authorities had lifted restrictions as hospitalizations and deaths declined steadily. Canada had also lifted the compulsory quarantine for returning Canadians who were fully vaccinated.

In the statement, the Prime Minister also noted that Canada continues to lead G20 countries in vaccination rates with approximately 80 percent of eligible Canadians vaccinated with their first dose and over 50 percent of eligible Canadians fully vaccinated.