Canada Says Border Won't Fully Reopen Until 75% Vaccination Rate

[left-of-center2012]

June 20, 2021

The U.S. border is unlikely to be completely reopened until 75% of Canadians are fully vaccinated, Canada’s border chief said on Sunday in comments likely to fuel mounting impatience in both countries at the restrictions.

The world’s longest undefended border has been closed to most travel since March 2020. On Friday, Canada extended the restrictions until at least July 21, though it’s expected to announce the easing of some rules Monday for fully vaccinated citizens.

“We haven’t reached the finish line, and the finish line is when a significant majority of Canadians, approximately 75%, are fully vaccinated,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair told national broadcaster CBC on Sunday. At present, less than a fifth of Canadians have received two shots, according to data compiled by CTV News.

The rules have kept families apart, blocked tourists and students, and hampered the world’s largest bilateral trading relationship. While trucks and trains continued to move goods, Canada’s tourism and travel-related businesses lost an estimated C$20 billion ($16 billion) in revenue last year, according to one estimate.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-20/no-full-reopening-to-u-s-until-75-canadians-vaccinated-chief?srnd=premium

[PortTack]

1. Smart!! Kinda how I feel..the border between my lips and mask isn't opening until 70-75%

Of ppl has been vaccinated

[SoCalDavidS]

2. America Reached The Finish Line

Who needs 75% to reach the finish line, when you can reach it at 45%?

America isn't going to wait for a % which has a chance of proving unreachable. We're special, and will make our own rules.

[Bobstandard]

3. Close the border to Canadians--in both directions

Currently Canadian citizens can enter the US as long as they show proof of a negative Covid 19 test to US authorities within three calendar days of crossing. In addition Canadian citizens can renter Canada from the United States as long as they comply with Canadian requirements on the Canadian side of the border.

On the other hand, US citizens cannot enter Canada unless they are “essential workers” or provide “essential services.” No exceptions for providing negative Covid tests or proof of vaccinations.

The rules should be the same on both sides of the border. We should close the border to Canada for Canadians unless they meet the same “essential worker/essential service” criteria. Fair is fair.

[Blue_true]

4. Canadian flying into Canada have to quarantine for 14 days and

get periodic tests during that time BEFORE they can leave two quarantine hotels in Canada and go to their home there. So the situation isn’t a bargain for Canadians entering the USA then trying to go back home.

My view? Canada should allow people from the USA to enter, but enforce a strict proper mask wearing requirement until Canada reaches 75% vaccinated. Any US person refusing gets kicked out of Canada immediately, no questions asked.

[Bobstandard]

6. Agree. But now it's asymmetrical

Canadians can come and go through US borders (subject to CANADIAN restrictions) but US citizens don’t have the same privileges. Until we do, close the border.

[LisaL]

8. Yea, we can close the border until 75% of our population is vaccinated.

Or, in other words, forever, since we never get to that number because of our anti-vaxxers.

[left-of-center2012]

11. Do you have a link for that?

I don't think Canadians can freely pass back and forth as you stated.

[roamer65]

5. Perfectly fine.

Canada already lost my tourist dollars for the 10 June 2021 solar eclipse. I’ll go to Chicago instead of Toronto this summer.

I do think we should enforce a similar standard with the Delta variant now circulating. Only absolutely essential travel by Canadians into the US, including the snowbirds.

[LisaL]

7. What's wrong with wanting the population to be vaccinated?

NT

[roamer65]

9. Canada should allow vaccinated Americans to enter.

And like wise we should as well for Canadians.

That would be a BIG incentive for both countries to get vaccinated.

Let’s reward people for being vacccinated, not be indifferent or punitive toward them.

[left-of-center2012]

10. "Canada should allow vaccinated Americans to enter"

Mentioned in the OP.

[roamer65]

12. Paywall.

[left-of-center2012]

13. There is no paywall to read the op

The op is the first post,
the original post
the opening post of this thread.

The comment in question is in the op.
Where there is no paywall.

[left-of-center2012]

15. In addition to the comment being in the opening post of this thread ...

The Bloomberg website gives you a couple free articles everyday.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

14. Countries like Canada and the UK already surpassed us...

... in first dose vaccinations despite the USA's big head-start, so Canada will surely reach 75% long before this country.

Edit: In fact, Canada already reached 75% for first doses. No doubt in my mind that their fully vaccinated percentages will catch up soon.
http://globalnews.ca/news/7954768/canada-vaccine-target-covid/