Crossing into USA during Covid

[MovingToFlorida 71]

1 minute ago, Zenchi said:

My boyfriend is here from Ontario but he was unable to pass by land. He flew in. To avoid the hotel quarantine going back, you can be dropped off and walk across the Rainbow Bridge and Uber back home after.

So wait you can drive to the US from Canada and if you drive back into Canada (or walk) you don't need to quarantine? 

 

We have family in the US we haven't seen since 2019. If we drove there and back we don't need to quarantine? Would we need a covid test either way?

[Zenchi 18]

1 minute ago, MovingToFlorida said:

So wait you can drive to the US from Canada and if you drive back into Canada (or walk) you don't need to quarantine? 

 

We have family in the US we haven't seen since 2019. If we drove there and back we don't need to quarantine? Would we need a covid test either way?

You would need to fly into the US. You can then drive back across the border into Canada. With the crazy hotel quarantine requirements upon arrival back in Canada, people are circumventing this by walking across the rainbow bridge.

[MovingToFlorida 71]

1 minute ago, Zenchi said:

You would need to fly into the US. You can then drive back across the border into Canada. With the crazy hotel quarantine requirements upon arrival back in Canada, people are circumventing this by walking across the rainbow bridge.

Wow what a ring around! Unfortunately if we went it would be me and my husband and our 2 kids. Too much to walk across ha. 

 

I don't get why flying means quarantine but walking over doesn't. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

4 hours ago, MovingToFlorida said:

Wow what a ring around! Unfortunately if we went it would be me and my husband and our 2 kids. Too much to walk across ha. 

 

I don't get why flying means quarantine but walking over doesn't. 

Where it gets even more wild is that anyone can fly to the US from Canada for nonessential reasons providing they have a test. So the land border is less restricted in some respects and more restricted in others and varies massively depending on the direction of travel. Sane public policy at its finest. /s

Edited April 14, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Cp192019 20]

I should’ve been more specific. I’m immigrating with no intention of returning to Canada. 
i called peace bridge and they confirmed i can immigrate with my visa and no Covid requirements are needed. 

[MovingToFlorida 71]

5 minutes ago, Cp192019 said:

I should’ve been more specific. I’m immigrating with no intention of returning to Canada. 
i called peace bridge and they confirmed i can immigrate with my visa and no Covid requirements are needed. 

That's great! Thanks for that info and good luck with your move! Very exciting 🙂

[Benjamin44 10]

The requirements for crossing the border these days are definitely confusing and not very logical, with different rules depending on how you're crossing and in which direction. Here is a summary of the current rules, hopefully it helps someone.

 

For entering the US:

1) All travelers entering the US by AIR need a negative COVID Test done less than 72 hours before departure. You can also use proof of being positive within the last 90 days, I believe. This has nothing to do with with your immigration status or where you're coming from- it's a requirement for EVERYONE entering the country by AIR.

2) Crossing by LAND from Canada into the US is currently only allowed by those who have US status or visa of some kind- student, work visa, LPR, of course citizen. This includes those with immigrant visas or K-1 visas. This requirement does NOT apply to entering into the US by AIR for some reason- so, any Canadian who wants to visit the US right now, even with no status and no particular need to do so, can do so as long as they are flying in. They will of course need a negative COVID test per the requirement I just mentioned above.

 

For entering Canada:

1) Canada is currently closed to foreign nationals (unless you qualify for the family-based exemption), regardless of how you're entering. So if you have no Canadian status and have no family members who are, you cannot currently visit Canada at all. Given the struggles with COVID right now in Canada, this will probably be true for the foreseeable future unfortunately. 

2) For those with Canadian status, or who qualify for the family exemption, in order to enter you must have a negative COVID test done within the previous 72 hours to enter. I believe you can also use proof of recovering from within the last 90 days. You will also get tested at the border again, both land border and upon landing in Canada at the airport.

3) ALL travelers need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. You will also need to take a 3rd test towards the end of the quarantine, they will give you details about this when you arrive. They will call you to check on you during quarantine. Over the last couple of months, they are also using private security firms to do random house-to-house checks to make sure you are there- especially in the big cities.

4) Anyone entering Canada by AIR also needs to isolate at a quarantine hotel for 3 days- at the traveler's expense. I personally haven't done this but it doesn't sound fun, this is why people are trying to avoid it. You can read more about what those 3 days are like online.

 

Based on those rules- a lot of people are flying into the US, as they must if they have no US status since they can't get in via land, but are returning to Canada by land to avoid the quarantine hotels. This can be done by flying into a nearby airport and renting a car one-way, or having someone drop you off at the border and walking over. But remember, even for driving back into Canada, you still need a test done in the US  before you go within 72 hours, plus a test at the border, plus one more towards the end of quarantine, for a total of 3 tests and 14 days in self-quarantine.

 

Feel free to message me with any questions, I have crossed over a few time during COVID and am quite familiar with the rules. Hope this helps!

[mam521 2,126]

On 4/13/2021 at 8:34 PM, MovingToFlorida said:

Wow what a ring around! Unfortunately if we went it would be me and my husband and our 2 kids. Too much to walk across ha. 

 

I don't get why flying means quarantine but walking over doesn't. 

If you come by land into Canada, you're still expected to quarantine, but you can do it at a location of your choosing.  

 

If you come by air into Canada, you are expected to stay in a quarantine hotel until your negative result comes back and then head to your quarantine location to live out the remainder of your quarantine.  

 

Really, it makes no sense and is silly.  There's been articles about the limousine businesses at the borders being quite lucrative business ventures since the quarantine hotel rule was enacted.