Canadian snowbirds primed to flock south as US opens border

The Biden administration’s decision to allow vaccinated people to enter the U.S. by land for nonessential travel starting Nov. 8 has many Canadians packing up their campers and making reservations at their favorite vacation condos and mobile home parks.

Restrictions imposed by both countries during the coronavirus pandemic, and their own concerns about possible infection, kept millions of Canadians from driving south to warmer climes like Florida, Arizona and Mexico last winter.

Some RV parks and camping sites are already booked solid as Canadians compete with Americans who embraced RV travel during the pandemic.

Unlike air travel, for which proof of a negative COVID-19 test is required before boarding a flight to enter the U.S., no testing will be required to enter the U.S. by land or sea, provided the travelers meet the vaccination requirement.

Both the U.S. and Canada closed the land border to non-essential travel in March 2020. Canada resumed allowing vaccinated Americans to visit its country in August, but the U.S. delayed reciprocating.