Facilitating safe cross-border travel between the United States and Canada

On behalf of businesses of all sizes in the United States and Canada, we congratulate our governments on their efforts to ensure that as many citizens as possible have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In our view, the vaccination campaigns in both countries have progressed to the point where it is time to revisit the U.S.-Canada Joint Initiative that restricts non-essential travel across the land border. The measure took effect on March 21, 2020, and has since been extended on a monthly basis.

Starting on June 22, the United States and Canada should:

• allow fully vaccinated travelers to cross the border without needing to show a negative COVID-19 test result pre-departure or being subject to quarantine upon arrival;
• mutually recognize vaccine credentials to support the movement of fully-vaccinated travelers; and,
• produce a forward-looking plan that includes clear guidelines for all other travelers that are consistent across all modes of transportation.

Travelers allowed to cross the border would of course be required to comply with all applicable state, provincial, territorial, Indigenous and local public health guidelines. 

Amending the Joint Initiative to take account of rising vaccination levels would sustain jobs, boost business confidence and allow more families to reunite. It would help facilitate a safe and gradual return to a more normal life.

Our respective organizations stand ready to help with this transition.