Canada Reopens Aug 9th

[creativepart]

Canada announced that beginning Aug 9th the borders will be reopened - to fully vaccinated travelers.

The Canadian government announced Monday that fully vaccinated U.S. residents will be allowed to visit the country starting Aug. 9. Those travelers won't be subject to quarantine upon entry, the Public Health Agency of Canada said.

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Canada announced that beginning Aug 9th the borders will be reopened - to fully vaccinated travelers.

The border will open, but rvers will have a heck of a time crossing, due to the pre-entry PCR COVID-19 testing requirement. I called the Canadian ministry of immigration today and confirmed that you have to take a qualifying test no more than 72 hours prior to entry. Since we’re going to be at Acacia NP mid-Aug, I spent most of today trying to figure out how to get a qualifying test AND get the results before the 72 hour clock runs out. Turns out you can get a free molecular test in Maine, but it takes 3-5 days to get results. There are some quick 2day turnaround facilities, but none within 3 hours of Acacia. Even then, you’d have to make a beeline for the border crossing before your test expires.

[creativepart]

Perhaps this is still evolving? Here's a report from a CBC that tells it a bit differently.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ott...ning-1.6107988

I'm not sure what this part means:

Those crossing the border still need to get a COVID-19 molecular test result before they arrive in Canada.

However, the government announced today that it plans to launch a new surveillance program at airports and land border crossings starting Aug. 9. Fully vaccinated individuals will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a COVID-19 molecular test.

Oh, wait, I see. one is Pre-Visit test and the other is Post-Arrival Test. Two different things.

[Marine359]

One shot at it. There’s a Walgreens in Calais, Me, which is the crossing town, that administers PCR tests. They’re standard is turnaround in 24-72 hours. Guess it would be possible to check out of Acacia, drive to Calais, and camp nearby, then hope you can results back within 72 hours. Much the risk though, as I don’t believe Calais is anywhere near a lab.

[Jos 56]

Clarification: Fully vaccinated means all required doses of a Canadian government recognized vaccine plus 14 days to allow the vaccine to reach working strength. Currently, these are the approved vaccines: AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech. Also, Health care is a provincial jurisdiction. That means you could still face lockdowns in hot areas, even if the border is open. Indigenous communities can set their own entry requirements.

Masking and distancing are generally required in indoor spaces, except in Alberta, where it's only recommended. The rate of vaccination is somewhat higher than the US, so it's relatively safe here.

[Gordiegaffer]

That's great but the US has not opened up for you to return and may not let you to leave the US to enter Canada you should check

[Marine359]

Canadian immigration website still indicates that if you are fully vaccinated you must get a molecular test no more than 72 hours prior to entry. So, I called CN immigration and was told there were no waivers on this rule, but border guards do have some discretion. Found out the Walgreens in Calais has the wrong test. While booking a couple of days, the owner of Sunset point RV Resort in Lubec told me her husband is a US border agent, and feels the border at Calais will not open on Aug 7th as planned. If it does, there’s nowhere anywhere close to the border to get the required PCR test. Looks like our plan to enter NB are up in smoke.

[Marine359]

Leaving for a 4 day Acadia NP stay and Bar Harbor next week, with a few days at a CG in Lubec. Can anybody recommend other “must see” places in Maine?