CBSA urges travellers to learn land border crossing requirements: Here’s what you need to know

CBSA's best practices for crossing the border With the land border reopening Monday CBSA is urging residents to learn the requirements. CTV Windsor's Angelo Aversa explains.

Windsor, Ont. — The Canada Border Services Agency is issuing a travel advisory urging travellers to learn COVID-19 border measures and testing requirements ahead of changes next week.

On Nov. 8, the United States will begin allowing fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to enter the U.S. at land and ferry points of entry for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism.

“I think we may see an increase in Canadian travellers who have gone to the U.S. for recreational purposes and are now returning home, but we’re prepared on that end,” said Michael Prosia acting director for CBSA in the southern Ontario region.

The CBSA is reminding travellers that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.

Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. Canadian residents can check with their home province or territory about getting COVID-19 proof of vaccination to facilitate their return to Canada.

Here’s what you need to know:

“So if somebody arrives without a valid pre arrival test they can be facing fines of over $6,000,” said Prosia. “So they would be forced to take a test on arrival and then again on day eight and they would need to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Canada.”

Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada are available online: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders.

“Enforcement to those regulations fall to the public health agency of Canada so in those types of situations where somebody may even be in slight noncompliance, we’ll make that referral to our colleagues at public health for them to make that decision,” Prosia said.

CBSA says travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures as the CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times.

- With files from CTV Windsor's Angelo Aversa