Good Question: Do you still need to use the ArriveCAN app?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – This story for anyone who likes to make a quick trip to Canada and who can cross the border.
Tom asked me “If we are fully vaccinated (and twice boosted) do we still have to have the ArriveCAN app on our phone?”

The short answer is yes but there’s growing debate over this. I’ll have more about that in a second. First, here are the basics as the rules stand now.

The Canadian government has this list for who can cross today:

• Canadian citizens (including dual citizens), people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons (refugee status) are allowed to enter Canada
• Everyone who qualifies as fully vaccinated and their children and dependents traveling with them
• Foreign nationals who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated will only be allowed to enter in specific circumstances
• Tourism and leisure don’t count if you’re not vaxxed.

You still have to use the ArriveCAN app before crossing the border. You must put in key info like contact and travel details plus proof of vaccination through the app or website.

The current travel rules will be in place through at least the end of September. There’s growing pressure for Canada to ditch the ArriveCAN app coming from the travel industry, businesses, and politicians on both sides of the border.

The public safety minister has said using the app can help clear up bottlenecks at the border and may be used in other ways even past the pandemic.