Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Ottawa, Canada
November 05, 2021
Location: Worldwide
Event: On October 25, President Biden announced the United States will adopt a global air travel policy that will come into effect on November 8. This policy prioritizes public health, protecting U.S. citizens and residents as well as those who come to visit us.
Information for Air Passengers
Effective November 8, all non-citizen, nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa) airline passengers traveling to the United States, must demonstrate proof of vaccination as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Order prior to boarding a U.S. bound aircraft. More details regarding what constitutes full vaccination are available on this page of the CDC website.
Fully vaccinated air travelers will continue to be required to show a pre-departure negative test taken within three (3) days of travel to the United States prior to boarding. This applies to all air travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated air travelers – whether U.S. citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to test within one (1) day of departure. Additional information may be found on CDC’s website.
Air passengers will need to show their vaccination status, and airlines will need to:
- Match the name and date of birth to confirm the passenger is the same person reflected on the proof of vaccination.
- Determine that the record was issued by an official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency) in the country where the vaccine was given.
- Review the essential information for determining if the passenger meets CDC’s definition for fully vaccinated such as vaccine product, number of vaccine doses received, date(s) of administration, site (e.g., vaccination clinic, healthcare facility) of vaccination.
Airlines must deny boarding to passengers who do not meet these requirements or those who test positive for COVID-19.
For additional information or if you have specific questions, please contact your airline and visit the CDC’s website.
NOTE: U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or who may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should be prepared to remain in place until such time as they can meet the requirements.
Information for Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal Travelers
Effective November 8, vaccinated foreign nationals engaging in tourism or other non-essential travel may enter the United States at a land port of entry (POE) or ferry terminal.
These travelers should be prepared to:
- verbally attest to their non-essential travel and COVID-19 vaccination status; and
- present proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website.
Travelers arriving at a U.S. land POE or ferry terminal will not be required to show a pre-departure negative test. Additionally, U.S. citizens and LPRs will not need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination at a land POE or ferry terminal.
For additional information, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website and the corresponding Frequently Asked Questions.
NOTE: Travelers who wish to enter Canada at a land POE or ferry terminal should consult https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid for the most up-to-date information from the Government of Canada on COVID-19-related travel restrictions, proof of vaccination, testing requirements, and related information, including links to COVID-19-related travel information for each of the individual Canadian provinces and territories.
Actions to Take
Keep STEP Enrollment Active:
- Encourage U.S. citizen friends and family to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the U.S. Embassy and Consulates can contact them with updated information. If you plan to remain in Canada beyond your previously planned travel dates, remember to modify your STEP profile to continue to receive information and emergency alerts.
Monitor the following U.S. Government websites:
- Embassy webpage for information on conditions in Canada.
- Travel Restrictions Fact Sheet for information on COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. Borders with Canada and Mexico.
- CDC website for the most up-to-date health information.
- COVID-19 page on travel.state.gov for the latest travel information.
- Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection for the latest on travel restrictions for entry to the U.S.
- Travel.State.Gov’s Canada Information and Travel Advisory page for Canada-specific information.
Monitor the following Canadian Government websites:
- Canadian Government’s COVID-19 response website
- Canada Border Services Agency for all information on entry and exit requirements to Canada.
Monitor the following additional suggested websites:
- Airlines, buses, trains, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
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For Assistance:
- The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General are continually monitoring the current situation in Canada and continue to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. To contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General please find the location closest to you here.
