Sec. Mayorkas to Allow Vaccinated Travelers from Canada and Mexico

WASHINGTON – As we speak, Secretary of Homeland Safety Alejandro N. Mayorkas introduced that, following steerage from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and different public well being specialists, the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) will amend Title 19 rules to permit non-essential vacationers who’ve been absolutely vaccinated for COVID-19 and have acceptable documentation to enter the US by way of land and ferry ports of entry (POEs) throughout the U.S. border.

“In alignment with the brand new worldwide air journey system that shall be applied in November, we are going to start permitting vacationers from Mexico and Canada who’re absolutely vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the US for non-essential functions, together with to go to family and friends or for tourism, by way of land and ferry border crossings,” mentioned Secretary Mayorkas.  “Cross-border journey creates vital financial exercise in our border communities and advantages our broader economic system. We’re happy to be taking steps to renew common journey in a protected and sustainable method.”

The modifications to the Title 19 rules will happen in two phases over the subsequent few months.  First, in November, U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) will start permitting absolutely vaccinated vacationers from Mexico or Canada to enter the US at land and ferry POEs for non-essential causes. Vacationers shall be required to have acceptable paperwork that gives proof of vaccination. People who haven’t been absolutely vaccinated for COVID-19 is not going to be allowed to journey for non-essential functions from Canada and Mexico into the US by way of land and ferry POEs.

Second, starting in early January 2022, DHS would require that each one inbound overseas nationwide vacationers crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether or not for important or non-essential causes – be absolutely vaccinated for COVID-19 and supply associated proof of vaccination. This method will present ample time for important vacationers similar to truckers, college students, and healthcare staff to get vaccinated.

This new journey system will create constant, stringent protocols for all overseas nationals touring to the US – whether or not by air, land, or ferry – and accounts for the extensive availability of COVID-19 vaccinations.