CDC and State Department Downgrade Travel Warnings for Canada
Just days after Canada opened up its borders to Americans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department have each downgraded their travel advisories for the country.
The State Department moved the country from “Level 3: Reconsider travel,” to “Level 2: Exercise increased caution.” The CDC also moved Canada from level 3, which means a high level of COVID-19, to level 2, a moderate level.
The State Department says travelers heading to level 2 countries should “be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.” The CDC advises travelers going to level 2 destinations to make sure they are fully vaccinated and warns that unvaccinated travelers at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid nonessential travel.
Canada for now is allowing only fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents to visit. Canadians have a higher vaccination rate than Americans, about 63% of the total population compared to 51% in the U.S.. New cases are also much lower in Canada. But still, Canadians can’t travel to the U.S. just yet. The U.S. extended its border restrictions for nonessential travel last month, through August 21. The restrictions affect land and ferry travel at its borders with Canada and Mexico.
