I'm sure I can look this up, but does anyone know what the current COVID rules are for crossing into Canada from the states in a car? Do we still have to check in on our ArriveCAN app, get tested, etc. Looking for an update on the requirements to travel to Canada by car. Thanks.
speculation on the us canada border
- Thread starter captainkirk
- Start date
Just looked it up myself:
- Canadians must meet and follow all of the same entry requirements
- All travellers must use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada
- Fully vaccinated travellers must use ArriveCAN to qualify for the exemption from quarantine and testing
- Steps for fully vaccinated travellers
- Travellers not qualified as fully vaccinated must meet testing and quarantine requirements
Nothing required except in medical buildings doctors appointments (masks).
Free as a bird
Once border is crossed you are done.
^^^^Thanks Fradi. Has anyone crossed the border just for the day recently? On the ArriveCan app it asks for hotel info should you need to quarantine. I could just be overthinking it. I plan on being just south of Montreal in the states playing some golf. I figured with the many incall options I would just jump across for a little banging and then come back to the states. I'm not concerned about dealing with the border agents, I'll have a good cover story. I just don't want to stay overnight or even a few days in Montreal if I can avoid it. Better golf options in the states for the price.
Unfortunately if you are snagged for a random test and test positive then you are screwed with a ten day quarantine and it is a PCR test not an antigen so if you have had COVID recently and no government or lab proof ( PCR test) then you are still likely to test positive so you do need to be careful. People with proof of prior COVID recovery within last 90 days are exempt but they need proof from government agency or lab and it had to have been with a PCR test. Antigen test is not accepted as proof of prior COVID and recovery.
If I have to take a PCR test and I'm only coming in for the day I would be back in the states before the results came in. Also, I was curious about only traveling to Montreal for the day because on the ArriveCan app your required to put down your hotel or place where you would quarantine if need be.
I’m also looking at a day trip or one night trip in September. Leaning towards one night. Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. My advice would be to just put down a random hotel (you can book hotels on Expedia and cancel before 6pm without penalty) and the problem is solved. You could tell a border agent you are planning on just a day tip but that you have a hotel booked in case you get tired or need to quarantine. Just cancel before 6p or whatever the designated time is so you don’t pay anything.
Sometimes one night trips prompt questions so I’ll often book two and then cancel the second night when I get up in the morning, and then just check out and drive back.
You won’t have any issues. Guaranteed.
You are right you would be much better off heading home unless you are certain you will test negative. It would really suck to be stuck here quarantined for 10 days. Unfortunately we run that risk every time we come home, to make it even more stupid Quebec requires only a 5 day quarantine if you are Covid positive, but when you enter Canada you are entering under the federal rules and would need to be quarantined for 10 days starting from the day the PCR sample test was taken.
The results do come in pretty fast my friend was Tested at 2pm and by 8pm he was given the negative results by email.
The testing site he had to use was Biron which has offices all over Montreal and was the one doing testing at the Airport. It is free for the individual but I am sure the government has to pay a hefty charge to Biron.
This is a totally useless and stupid thing and achieves absolutely nothing no wonder Trudeau insists on maintaining it.
It is high time all gouvernements put an end to this nonsense and learn to live with Covid and concentrate on finding a better vaccine, they will not stop the spread especially not with random testing, it is just a statistical gathering exercise that achieves fuck all and results will be buried in some government hole.
Fradi, forgive me for also being out of loop and interjecting with my own question, but you’re the man with the best answers…
I may be misunderstanding but are you saying that if I take an overnight trip in Sept, there’s a chance I could get pinged with a random test?
And if I get a positive result emailed to me, I would need to stay quarantined and would not be able to drive back?
This testing bs is insanity.
That is my understanding, I am not hundred percent sure how it works with non Canadians, but why else would they be asking you for location of quarantine residence.and why would it be different than for a Canadian.
Certainly for us Canadians that is exactly how it works my son was nailed for a random test coming home from Europe and we were going on a cruise 10 days later. He was shitting bullets prior the results as he had Covid in June and with a PCR test ( PCR is what is given in the random test) you can test positive even 3 months after recovery.. Luckily his test results were negative.
It is all so illogical that I wouldn’t be surprised if your take on testing and quarantining is indeed correct.
But you would think Canada would want to get a Covid positive person out of the country, especially if he can drive out alone on his own and not put anyone at risk.
What’s the difference between going back to the hotel or your car once you’re notified of results, other than a walk through a lobby and being inside an elevator? There’s no guarantee someone will stay quarantined for 10 days, even under threat of a financial penalty.
And I’d like to know what happens if someone dares to drive back. I can’t imagine US customs saying he can’t enter. Maybe at an airport, but not when someone is in his own vehicle right at the border. Going back to the hotel exposes a greater number of people.
it’s all ridiculous. Thank you again for the insights and answer. .
I agree with what you are saying totally.
Politicians and gouvernement rarely make sense.
Nobody is going to own up to having Covid when they know they will be quarantined for 10 days and the way things are going everybody is going to get it. I have had it after 4 doses of vaccine. Time to treat it like a dangerous cold but not to go nuts and destroy peoples livelihoods and businesses.
It is time to learn to live with it and if you are smart you will get your vaccines as I believe that is what kept me out of the hospital.
Government should be concentrating on more effective vaccines and treatment with other drugs if you get it, stopping the spread is not about to happen so stop with all this crap about passports, quarantine, and border restrictions none of it is worth a fuck and it doesn’t do shit to stop the spread.
I don’t believe they are requiring test at port of entry even when selected. You have 24 hours to take the test if required.
Practically speaking you can depart Canada back to US due to no negative test requirement if flying and there is no testing requirement for driving.
Really not a big deal if you were planning to stay 3-4 days to begin with.
Example:
Arrive Monday late afternoon and get selected.
Take test Tuesday late afternoon. Likely missed Puralator pickup window for the day.
Puralator picks up kit on Wednesday.
Kit delivered to lab Thursday. You may get results same day or Friday.
I usually would have departed Canada on Thursday evening anyway.
Practically speaking you can depart Canada back to US due to no negative test requirement if flying and there is no testing requirement for driving.
Really not a big deal if you were planning to stay 3-4 days to begin with.
Example:
Arrive Monday late afternoon and get selected.
Take test Tuesday late afternoon. Likely missed Puralator pickup window for the day.
Puralator picks up kit on Wednesday.
Kit delivered to lab Thursday. You may get results same day or Friday.
I usually would have departed Canada on Thursday evening anyway.
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Thanks. Very helpful. Three more questions to the group.
To confirm - if I drive, there’s no possibility of a random test at pt of entry? Must tests be taken over video if selected?
I only got one shot - the J&J vaccine (only one shot vs Pfizer’s two). Will that be acceptable to enter Canada?
Lastly, can I submit my info on ArriveCan the day I decide to travel? Not sure if Canada requires advance notice.
At this point, I’m strongly considering an appointment with an agency offering EE women in Boston + a game at Fenway - especially if there is a risk of being hassled and getting to do just one Euphoria appt. I miss Montreal but the fact that we need to ask these questions 2 1/2 years later is just mind boggling.
Have you received at least 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses or a combination of at least 2 doses? Select the option that best fits your situation: (required)
AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) – 1 dose
Medicago Covifenz
Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273) including for children aged 6 months to 11 years
Novavax (NVX-COV2373, Nuvaxovid, Covovax)
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2) including for children aged 5 to 11 years
Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
a combination of at least 2 doses of the above vaccines
unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons
none of the above (unvaccinated, single dose in a two-dose regimen, recovered)
One dose of J &J is equivalent to 2 doses of other vaccines and is considered fully vaccinated up to now.
Yes you can be randomly selected for a PCR test. You would get an email from the government within 15 minutes of entering Canada.
You have to make an appointment with a lab they recommend ( usually Biron) within 24 hours) . They do not do the tests at the airport or at the border like before. It is up to you to visit the recommended test house. There are many Biron locations all over Montreal, Laval, South Shore etc…
Yes you have to submit your info through the Arrive Can app anytime within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada ( I did it the day before) including your email address phone number.
All of this is contained in the following government web sight
travel.gc.ca
The test is free.
AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) – 1 dose
Medicago Covifenz
Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273) including for children aged 6 months to 11 years
Novavax (NVX-COV2373, Nuvaxovid, Covovax)
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2) including for children aged 5 to 11 years
Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
a combination of at least 2 doses of the above vaccines
unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons
none of the above (unvaccinated, single dose in a two-dose regimen, recovered)
One dose of J &J is equivalent to 2 doses of other vaccines and is considered fully vaccinated up to now.
Yes you can be randomly selected for a PCR test. You would get an email from the government within 15 minutes of entering Canada.
You have to make an appointment with a lab they recommend ( usually Biron) within 24 hours) . They do not do the tests at the airport or at the border like before. It is up to you to visit the recommended test house. There are many Biron locations all over Montreal, Laval, South Shore etc…
Yes you have to submit your info through the Arrive Can app anytime within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada ( I did it the day before) including your email address phone number.
All of this is contained in the following government web sight
COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders - Travel.gc.ca
COVID-19 border measures have ended as of October 1, 2022 for all travellers entering or returning to Canada by air, land or sea.
Arrival tests if selected
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, you may be randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test. You must complete your arrival test with an approved test provider. Your test provider is based on where you entered the country.The test is free.
Check if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:
- have received at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
- or at least 1 dose of the Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) vaccine
- have received your seconddose at least 14 calendar days before you enter Canada
- Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday, July 1, then Thursday, July 15would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
- this timing is only required for your second dose, not for third or fourth doses
- have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- have ArriveCAN receipt with letter A, I, or V beside your name by uploading proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
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Have you received at least 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses or a combination of at least 2 doses? Select the option that best fits your situation: (required)
AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) – 1 dose
Medicago Covifenz
Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273) including for children aged 6 months to 11 years
Novavax (NVX-COV2373, Nuvaxovid, Covovax)
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2) including for children aged 5 to 11 years
Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
a combination of at least 2 doses of the above vaccines
unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons
none of the above (unvaccinated, single dose in a two-dose regimen, recovered)
One dose of J &J is equivalent to 2 doses of other vaccines and is considered fully vaccinated up to now.
Yes you can be randomly selected for a PCR test. You would get an email from the government within 15 minutes of entering Canada.
You have to make an appointment with a lab they recommend ( usually Biron) within 24 hours) . They do not do the tests at the airport or at the border like before. It is up to you to visit the recommended test house. There are many Biron locations all over Montreal, Laval, South Shore etc…
Yes you have to submit your info through the Arrive Can app anytime within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada ( I did it the day before) including your email address phone number.
All of this is contained in the following government web sight
COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders - Travel.gc.ca
COVID-19 border measures have ended as of October 1, 2022 for all travellers entering or returning to Canada by air, land or sea.
Arrival tests if selected
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, you may be randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test. You must complete your arrival test with an approved test provider. Your test provider is based on where you entered the country.
The test is free.
Check if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:
- have received at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
- or at least 1 dose of the Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) vaccine
- have received your seconddose at least 14 calendar days before you enter Canada
- Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday, July 1, then Thursday, July 15would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
- this timing is only required for your second dose, not for third or fourth doses
- have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- have ArriveCAN receipt with letter A, I, or V beside your name by uploading proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
Fradi, thank you. Your and Transatlantic’s info was especially helpful and I think it answered questions many Merbites had in mind.
As for the testing, if one is randomly selected, he has 24 hours to get to a lab to take test. So if I cross border at 2p on a Friday, I need to be at the US border by 1:45p on a Saturday to avoid any issues with Canada (assuming I’m randomly selected). I’m looking at a one night trip in Sept so that works out perfectly.
I *would think* that if I state I’m only planning to be in Canada for one day at border, whatever algorithm or program they use for random test selection might just weed me out of the pool, which is a good thing.
An aside fwiw - someone on a local board here mentioned he never filled out the ArriveCan info and the agent let him through, saying to make sure to complete it next time. Best to do it of course.
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^^^^I think your timeline is little off. If you have 24 hours to submit the test you would still have time for it to be delivered, processed and then you would get your notification. Probably more like 4-5 days you’d be notified by email. If at that point your positive, pretend you didn’t get the notification and get your ass back over the border.
You’re probably correct. I thought the results might be revealed immediately after taking test and formalized with an email. Your plan of action for a positive result is spot on.
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