Is the us /canada border open?

amother

Mon, May 25 2020, 11:29 pm

Title says it all. Can an American citizen in canada enter the US? can a canadian citizen enter the us?

MommyM

Mon, May 25 2020, 11:29 pm

No. It's still closed.

amother

Apricot

Mon, May 25 2020, 11:29 pm

Just for funsies? No.

amother

Rose

Mon, May 25 2020, 11:58 pm

The border is closed to all non-essential travel. I live in Canada, and I know some people who have traveled recently, for levayos or l'havdil the weddings of their own children. If you have dual citizenship, you can cross the border. Upon re-entering Canada, you must quarantine at a set location for 2 weeks. The penalty for violating the Quarantine Act is a fine up to 1 million dollars and a maximum of 3 years in prison. The RCMP has conducted spot checks but has not needed to fine anyone.

amother

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:06 pm

amother [ Rose ] wrote:

Thank you. How do they determine what is essential and what isnt? poeple are allowed to cross for their kids weddings? Even if they are not a US citizen?

amother

Apricot

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:16 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Thank you. How do they determine what is essential and what isnt? poeple are allowed to cross for their kids weddings? Even if they are not a US citizen?

COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. Borders with Canada

https://ca.usembassy.gov/trave.....heet/

Borders with Canada
On May 19, the United States and Canada announced a mutual agreement to extend temporary restrictions on non-essential travel across our shared border for an additional 30 days.
“Non-essential” travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. “Essential travel” still permitted includes: work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.
Trade and business travel will continue to operate across our borders, ensuring workers and goods are not impeded.
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with valid travel documents will be exempted.
Land borders are operating at reduced capacity and with limited hours. Visit CBP and CBSA for details on land border crossings.
In addition to restrictions on non-essential travel between the United States and Canada, a number of provinces and territories have put in place specific restrictions for travel across their borders, including for domestic travelers. Please see our Message to U.S. Citizens on Domestic Travel Restrictions within Canada for more information.
The following categories do not fall within the definition of “essential travel:”
Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events in the United States.
Who is considered an “essential” traveler?
Citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States.
Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States).
Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions.
Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada or Mexico in furtherance of such work).
Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies).
Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada and Mexico).
Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel.
Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.
The United States is coordinating closely with Canada and Mexico to protect our citizens while minimizing adverse economic impacts.

Q&A

Q: What will this mean for airline travel and other travel across the border?

A: This action does not apply to air, rail, or sea travel at this time, but does apply to commuter rail and ferry travel.

Q: What about businesses that rely on cross border traffic?

A: In most cases, business travel and shipments are considered essential travel. Please check Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements.

Q: How will this impact communities on the border that regularly travel across the border for essential supplies and services (especially more remote communities)?

A: These actions are intended to help protect communities from the spread of COVID-19. The CBP Commissioner may determine that other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic stability or social order, constitute “essential travel.” At this time, the priority is to reduce opportunities for the virus to spread.

Q: How will you deal with migrants on the border?

A: The Department of Homeland Security continues to enforce U.S. immigration laws at all U.S. borders, including between ports of entry.

Q: What about U.S. citizens and dual nationals who live abroad, will they be able to cross?

A: Yes, this action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home.

amother

Rose

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:17 pm

If you are a dual citizen, you can easily cross in both directions. As mentioned above, upon coming back to Canada, you must quarantine. I have no idea if the same applies in the reverse.
The majority of the frum community in Canada has dual citizenship, but some people have had to delay weddings. The vast majority of local weddings have been postponed indefinitely since the chassanim are mostly foreign and cannot enter the country. Essential travel include trade, cargo and people who cross the border for work. A handful of intrepid individuals have driven cargo across the border in order to be able to enter the country.

amother

Rose

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:21 pm

Apricot posted the info for travel into the US. The rules are different for travel into Canada. Most importantly, the US limitations only apply at land border crossings. In Canada, they apply to all methods of transportation.

amother

Apricot

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:28 pm

amother [ Rose ] wrote:

Very much not true.

amother

Taupe

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:28 pm

A citizen can always enter their country of citizenship.

For non-citizens you can only enter if you have a good enough reason and are able to convince the border guard. This means the border could easily turn you away if the guard isn’t convinced you have a good reason. It’s completely up to the discretion of the person you happen to get.

amother

Cobalt

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:29 pm

My nephew's wedding was postponed because the bride is in Canada and the grooms in the US. Sad

amother

Rose

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:32 pm

amother [ Apricot ] wrote:

Very much not true.

I don't have actual data, but in my experience, definitely more than 50% of the frum community in Montreal and Toronto has dual citizenship.

amother

Magenta

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:41 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Thank you. How do they determine what is essential and what isnt? poeple are allowed to cross for their kids weddings? Even if they are not a US citizen?

A lot of the essential crossing is at the Detroit-Windsor border crossing. Many Canadian nurses work in Detroit hospitals.

amother

Apricot

Tue, May 26 2020, 10:47 pm

amother [ Rose ] wrote:

I don't have actual data, but in my experience, definitely more than 50% of the frum community in Montreal and Toronto has dual citizenship.

My experience isn't the same Smile