Ottawa (CNN) The long wait will soon be over for foreigners who have been banned from entering Canada for nearly 16 months. Beginning August 9, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the United States currently residing in the US will be permitted to enter Canada. Non-essential travel into Canada has been banned since March 2020, something the Canadian government said was necessary to mitigate the spread of Covid-19International travelers may also be allowed to enter Canada beginning September 7, provided the "COVID-19 epidemiology remains favorable," the Canadian government said in a statement Monday. Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for all foreign travelers who are not fully vaccinated.

Source: CNN July 19, 2021 17:51 UTC