For the first time since March of last year, non-essential U.S. travelers will be able to cross the border to Canada Monday, but things will be different at the U.S.-Canada border.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S.-Canada border reopened Monday for the first time since March 2020 for non-essential travel

  • In order to cross the border, travelers need to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior; all travelers older than five must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test

  • Travelers must bring with them a physical or digital copy of their vaccine record

  • Canadian border officials warn that travelers must have a quarantine plan should it become necessary to do so

In order to cross the border, travelers need to be fully vaccinated, having completed a vaccine series at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Acceptable vaccines are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca (authorized in Canada, but not currently in the U.S.) or Johnson & Johnson.

Travelers must bring with them a physical or digital copy of their vaccine record.

Additionally, everyone five and older will need proof of a negative COVID test, taken within three days of entering. It's important to note that rapid result antigen tests are not an applicable test for use of the crossing the border.

Travelers must enter their vaccine and test result information into the ArriveCAN smartphone app or website. You can either print a receipt of this or show a digital copy when you cross.

Even though travelers have to register, the Canada Border Services Agency won’t say how many people they are expecting to enter Canada for the reopening. But travelers should plan for the possibility of additional processing time at the border.

“CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times,” agency spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said in a statement.

Border officials warn that travelers must have a quarantine plan should it become necessary to do so.

"At any time after entry, if a fully vaccinated traveler tests positive or is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must follow all local public health requirements, including quarantine or isolation," officials with the Canadian Border Service Agency said.

Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are allowed to enter Canada with their vaccinated parents.

The CDC considers Canada to have a high level of COVID transmission, so the agency recommends travelers still mask up and social distance.

The U.S.-Canada border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020 to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.