Crossing the border from Canada into the USA as a Canadian Citizen?

Question

Can’t seem to find solid information about this. I’m planning on crossing down to the states from Niagara Falls (Ontario) on December 31, and plan on being back inside Canada on January 3rd. Doing this using a rental car (Enterprise Rent a car). With the new Omicron restrictions, would I need to self isolate or pay for any tests for this short trip?

Answer 1

First, note that pandemic-related restrictions can change at a short notice and the Government of Canada advises to avoid non-essential travels at the moment.

For your trip to the U.S.

Omicron has not yet changed land border requirements. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may only travel across the land border for a discretionary purpose if you are fully vaccinated and have acceptable documentation.

A negative test is not required at the moment.

Your destination in the U.S. may impose additional local and state requirements.

For your return trip

As of December 21, 2021, at 12:01 am (EST), all Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians returning from short trips must take a molecular pre-entry test. The test must be taken outside of Canada. Previous short-trip (72-hour) exemption allowing pre-departure test in Canada no longer applies.

For possible testing options, see Visiting Canada from Europe, with weekend trip to the US – will we need testing when going back to Canada?. You may need to arrange the test as soon as possible since many testing facilities may close or have modified hours during the holidays.

You may be randomly selected for arrival testing (mandatory but without charge) and have to self-swab within 24 hours of your entry into Canada, but if you have not been outside the U.S. or Canada during the past 14 days, you do not have to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated.

ArriveCAN remains necessary even if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, a 14-day quarantine is necessary.

Regardless of your vaccination status, if you present symptoms, you are required to isolate for at least 10 days and follow all applicable provincial public restrictions. Foreign nationals with symptoms will be refused entry.