The border is opening! Here’s what travelers to Canada need to know

It is long overdue, but the announcement has finally come! The Canadian government announced yesterday that it will be opening its border to fully vaccinated American travelers on August 9th, 2021. We want to outline the rules for you and show you where to look for further information. There are some hurdles to jump through, but they are quite easy once you get used to them.

— JULY 2021 —
Here is the official statement and list of travel regulations from the Canadian government: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/entering-canada-checklist. They explain what is required and what steps must be followed.

I myself (Andy) have been across the border recently and will explain what I had to do to enter Canada. First off, you need to be fully vaccinated, which most of you probably are by this point. It must also be 14 days past the date of you receiving your second shot.

You’ll need to download the free Arrive CAN app on your smartphone or go to the Arrive CAN web portal on your computer. Click here for the website and links to download the Android and iOS (Apple) apps. Create an account with them. It’s all free.

A day or two prior to your crossing, you’ll need to file an arrival form on Arrive CAN. Fill it out completely and when it asks to upload your proof of vaccination, do so. It asks for a picture of your first shot and second shot. Since on the CDC cards both of those shots are on the same side, you can upload the same picture for both. Once you have entered all that information and filed it you are good.

The next step is finding a place to take a PCR test. This is important! Some places charge for PCR tests, others don’t. You may want to shop around. The last time I did it I had to pay $50. That was at Lake Superior State University. The time before there was no charge at Bay Mills Health clinic. Both places required an appointment to get the test. Please note, this test is not the instant quick test but a PCR test. It took about 15 minutes to process the test at both places I went to. They will give you a document showing that you are negative and stating that it was a PCR test. This specific test has to be done within 72 hours of your crossing time.

Finally, after all of that, you are good to go. When you arrive at customs, present all of your documents, PCR test, vaccination card and passport (or enhanced driver’s license). Tell them you have filed on Arrive CAN (although they should know that once they enter your information into their computer). That should be it.

Remember, when you come into Canada, there are still mask mandates here! We do not know what public health regulations will be changed within the next few weeks. When you go into a store or restaurant, you’ll need to wear a mask. We are following the required regulations at camp, so when you enter the Loch Island dining room you’ll have to wear a mask to the table, the washroom, or around common areas of the lodge. You do not have to wear masks inside your own cabin or in your boat. We will be using the patio tables as much as we can so we can all enjoy the outdoors!

If anyone has any trouble or questions filling out the app, give us a call and we’ll try to help you as best we can. Hopefully this all will be simplified in the near future! See you all soon!!!

Let us know as soon as possible if you cannot cross into Canada this year and we will book you for 2022! Email us at info@lochisland.com or give us a call at 1-888-635-1996. Please note that we have not opened Loch Island Lodge yet and cannot take phone calls there.