Canada bans entry of Chinese vaccinated travelers... US, UK travel bans

Canada to Allow Entry to Travelers from Worldwide Countries in September Following US in August
Entry Requires Complete Vaccination
Excludes Chinese Vaccine Recipients
Discord Over Resumption of Travel Among US and Allies
US Responds to UK Lifting Restrictions with Travel Ban

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Canada has decided to allow the entry of overseas travelers who were previously restricted due to COVID-19, but Chinese vaccine recipients are excluded.

Although neighboring Canada announced it will allow entry to U.S. citizens who have completed vaccination, the U.S. remains reluctant to open borders with allied countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe amid the spread of the Delta variant.

COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China's Sinovac
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 19th (local time), the Canadian government announced that starting from October 9, U.S. citizens and permanent residents residing in the U.S. who have completed COVID-19 vaccination will be exempt from the mandatory 14-day quarantine and two infection tests upon entry.

Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to undergo additional testing upon arrival in Canada. Children under 12 years old who have not yet been vaccinated are also exempt from quarantine when entering with their parents.

From September 7, travelers from all countries worldwide will be able to enter Canada under the same conditions.

To enter Canada, travelers must submit proof of vaccination. This means that entry is not allowed without vaccination.

The vaccines accepted for entry are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen vaccines approved in Canada. This means that recipients of Chinese and Russian vaccines cannot enter Canada.

Canadian authorities stated they are investigating whether to allow entry for recipients of Chinese and Russian vaccines and will announce any policy changes in the future.

Canada has banned non-essential travel since March last year. Land crossings through the U.S. border have been prohibited.

Contrary to Canada’s announcement, the U.S. White House did not immediately confirm border reopening. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "Travel restrictions are being reviewed, but measures will be prepared by health and medical experts."

President Biden said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week that he would "be able to say in a few days" whether U.S. entry will be allowed for European nationals. The U.S. currently restricts entry of European nationals, but Europe allowed entry of Americans last month.

Contrary to President Biden’s remarks, the U.S. has actually imposed stricter travel regulations.

On the same day, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department raised the COVID-19 alert level for the United Kingdom to "very high" and recommended a travel ban to the UK.

Although the UK is experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Delta variant, it lifted all COVID-19 restrictions starting that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.