Reopening of land border gives Americans a chance to reconnect with loved ones

After crossinginto Canada, Adele Chabotsmiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Having not seen her family in Canada for about two years, she waslooking forward to reconnecting.

"It's a good feeling," Chabot said upon arriving in Quebec's Eastern Townships this morning, on her way to Otttawa.

Starting today, American citizens and permanent residents are allowed to cross at a land border, provided they havereceived all required doses of aCOVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada at least 14 days prior.

Children under 12, who aren't eligible for a vaccine, are exempt from the requirement.

Americans must also provide a negative COVID-19 test result using theArriveCAN appor byregistering onlinewithin 72 hours of their arrival.

Chabot, a U.S. citizen who lives in New Hampshire, saidshe will be staying in Canada for a week, and her experience at the border was a "good start" to the trip.

The Canada Border Services Agencyreported minimal to no wait times at land crossings into Quebec on Monday morning, despite the easing of restrictions.

Elsewhere across the country, midday delays at various land crossings ranged from just a few minutes to more than an hour.

However, some travellers were refused for failing to properly submit their information ahead of time or failing to provide a negative test result from the last 72 hours.

Anthony Molle, a Canadian,and his wife, Amber Van De Genachte, an American citizen, crossed on Monday without any problems.They drove from Washington D.C. to Montreal, where his family and friends still live.

Molle summed up his feelings this way: "Excited. Super excited."

A long time apart

The U.S.-Canada border wasclosed to nonessential travel in March in attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, putting a strain on relationships spanning the two countries.

Much ofChloe Bordewichand Basheer Amin's relationship has been long-distance, but COVID-19 restrictions kept them apart longer than ever before.

"Being separated like that, with this other level of uncertainty, has really been excruciating," saidBordewich, who lives in Washington, D.C.

She will be travelling to Montreal to see Amin tomorrow.

"I'm really excited," she said."It's hard to believe that Tuesday is finally just around the corner."

Amir, who is originally from Syria and now lives in Montreal,saidthey are happy to follow the rules, and take comfort in knowing that being fully vaccinated greatly reduces the risk of serious complications from COVID-19.

"It's excitement with also fear, given all the circumstances of course."

Despite pressure from business groups and some politicians,the U.S. side of the Canada-U.S. land border remains closed to non-essential travellers untilat least Aug. 21.

Air and sea travellers are exempt, though passengers by rail, ferry and pleasure boat are not.