Top 5 things you need to know about the new travel restrictions to Canada
- Surprise reversal: After hinting at a summer reopening, Canadian officials just announced new random testing at airports is back for fully vaccinated travelers, catching many off guard and sparking flight delays at major hubs.
- Land border loophole closed: Starting next week, all travelers entering by car or ferry must show a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours, closing the popular “drive-up” workaround that previously only applied to air arrivals.
- No more ArriveCAN app grace period: The government is ending the 72-hour window to submit your travel info—now, you must have your ArriveCAN receipt ready at the border or face a $5,000 fine on the spot, a move experts say will cause chaos for last-minute planners.
- Vaccine mandate expands: Even if you’re exempt from testing, all non-essential travelers must now prove they received a booster shot within the last 9 months, with the U.S.—Canada summer road trip season bracing for long lines and frustrated families.
- Why this matters now: With surging COVID variants abroad, Canada is playing it safe ahead of the peak tourist season, but critics argue these restrictions will tank the $15 billion cross-border travel industry and push travelers to Mexico instead.