Canadian border opens to fully vaccinated travelers

After a 20-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Montana's neighbors to the north again will be able to cross the border into the U.S. for nonessential travel, with cars lined up for what appeared to be a mile waiting to cross the Port of Wild Horse north of Havre.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that, starting today, foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation will be permitted to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals for non-essential reasons such as tourism. 

"Today, after more than 18 months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, DHS is taking a critical step toward resuming normal travel," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said.  "Travelers who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation are now permitted to enter the United States via our land and ferry border crossings for non-essential reasons such as visiting friends and family and engaging in tourism. DHS continues to work closely with our international partners and domestic public health experts to sustainably resume travel while protecting our communities and economic security." 

Canada, the United States and Mexico all had shut down travel by car and ferry across their communal borders in March 2020.

Montana residents and officials including the members of its congressional delegation, Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Rep. Matt Rosendale, and Gov. Greg Gianforte had pushed for the U.S. to open its northern border, especially after Canada announced in July it was opening its borders to fully vaccinated travelers in August.

Homeland Security kept extending the ban on nonessential travel month by month until it announced in October the borders would open to fully vaccinated travelers today.

In its release about the border opening, Homeland Security reminded travelers to be prepared to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the Centers for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html, and verbally attest to their reason for travel and COVID-19 vaccination status during a border inspection.

The release said U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working to prevent long lines at land POEs and ferry terminals as normal travel resumes. However, long lines are expected in the initial days following pent-up demand, and CBP will adjust resources as needed, while continuing to facilitate lawful trade and travel and protect national security. Travelers are advised to expect longer-than-normal wait times, familiarize themselves with the new guidelines, available online in a fact sheet at https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-travelers-enter-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals, and have appropriate documentation ready during a border inspection.

U.S. citizens are reminded to bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document, such as a valid U.S. passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, Enhanced Driver's License, or Enhanced Tribal Card, when re-entering the United States and should be prepared to present a WHTI-compliant document if requested by a CBP Officer during a border inspection. Any non-citizen attempting to enter the United States through illegal means or without appropriate documentation may be subject to expulsion or removal. 

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of facial biometrics and the CBP One™, which is a single portal for CBP mobile applications and services.

To learn more about the updated requirements for travelers, review the DHS fact sheet. 

--

Havre Daily News Publisher George Ferguson contributed to this report.