Jack
Senior Member
We crossed from the US into Canada at Abbortsford, BC and it went quite smoothly. We presented our passports, our ArriveCan receipt, proof of negative Covid tests answered a few of the common crossing questions, and in less than 5 minutes, we were on our way - but it did take about 40 minutes to get to the front of the line with 7 vehicles in front of us. They randomly select vehicles for a Covid test swab at a tent past customs, but we were not picked.
If you cross at a border that does not have on-site Covid testing (Google to find those that do), figure on another hour to fill out forms and go online so a customs agent can watch you swab your nose and place the swab in a sealed container.
First, your Covid test has to be a PCR (molecular) test; home tests are not sufficient. Pharmacies are not reliable, often providing results in 4 to 6 days. You have to be at the border within 72 hours of the test. Two friends did get across at 72 hours and 40 minutes - but they were lucky.
Second, download the ArriveCan app (Android & iPhone). You enter your identification information (one or more people), and then your crossing, date and time. You have to be within about 72 hours of your crossing date and time to continue. You enter your vax info by taking a picture with the app. I suggest you take a picture of your Covid Vax card and your medical record for the vax (same photo). You attest to having a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your crossing time. Our test results were available the day before we crossed. Of course, if you get a positive result, your plans will change and be very different. We printed out our medical record page with the Covid test results. The app is really focused on air travel, so you have to give the name and address of a Canadian 3 day reservation upon your arrival. We made a reservation for one night at an RV park outside of Abbotsford. We also made a reservation at Mt Revelstoke NP for the next night but did need to enter it. You also answer several questions such as how you would handle a 14 day quarantine. Had we been asked for details on quarantine, we would have answered that our FWC is self contained, that we have a 14 day food supply, and would sit and isolate in an RV park. (We were never asked about this at the border.) When you finish entering the information, you submit it and if all is well, you get a receipt which you can print out or just show your phone at the border.
Masking indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces and 6' / 2m distancing is required nationwide.
If you cross at a border that does not have on-site Covid testing (Google to find those that do), figure on another hour to fill out forms and go online so a customs agent can watch you swab your nose and place the swab in a sealed container.
First, your Covid test has to be a PCR (molecular) test; home tests are not sufficient. Pharmacies are not reliable, often providing results in 4 to 6 days. You have to be at the border within 72 hours of the test. Two friends did get across at 72 hours and 40 minutes - but they were lucky.
Second, download the ArriveCan app (Android & iPhone). You enter your identification information (one or more people), and then your crossing, date and time. You have to be within about 72 hours of your crossing date and time to continue. You enter your vax info by taking a picture with the app. I suggest you take a picture of your Covid Vax card and your medical record for the vax (same photo). You attest to having a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your crossing time. Our test results were available the day before we crossed. Of course, if you get a positive result, your plans will change and be very different. We printed out our medical record page with the Covid test results. The app is really focused on air travel, so you have to give the name and address of a Canadian 3 day reservation upon your arrival. We made a reservation for one night at an RV park outside of Abbotsford. We also made a reservation at Mt Revelstoke NP for the next night but did need to enter it. You also answer several questions such as how you would handle a 14 day quarantine. Had we been asked for details on quarantine, we would have answered that our FWC is self contained, that we have a 14 day food supply, and would sit and isolate in an RV park. (We were never asked about this at the border.) When you finish entering the information, you submit it and if all is well, you get a receipt which you can print out or just show your phone at the border.
Masking indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces and 6' / 2m distancing is required nationwide.
