US Begins Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Foreign Truck Drivers at Land Borders

On January 22, 2022, the US Department of Homeland Security began requiring non-US travelers entering the country at land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide proof of vaccination. For the first time, the requirement covered essential travelers, including commercial truck drivers from Canada and Mexico.

DHS announced the change on January 20, and the restrictions took effect at 12 a.m. Eastern time two days later. The Federal Register notices for the Canadian and Mexican borders set the restrictions to run through April 21, 2022, unless amended or rescinded earlier.

No exception for truckers

Earlier border restrictions had allowed essential travel, including cross-border trade, to continue without a vaccine requirement. According to the Federal Register notice, DHS weighed industry concerns, particularly from firms that employ or rely on long-haul truck drivers, and considered exceptions for those workers. It decided against them after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly discouraged additional exceptions amid rising case counts.

The rule applied only to noncitizens who were not lawful permanent residents. US citizens, US nationals and green card holders were not covered. The notice listed limited exceptions, such as certain diplomatic travel, people under 18 and people with medical contraindications to the vaccine. DHS said it did not require a COVID-19 test to enter at land ports.

The US move followed a similar Canadian requirement for truck drivers entering Canada, which took effect January 15, 2022.

Industry reaction

American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello told Transport Topics the trucking industry had been anticipating the announcement. He said he was less concerned about Mexican drayage drivers, who he said were vaccinated at a high rate, and noted that unvaccinated Canadian drivers already faced Canada's own requirement to get back home.

Costello also said he had heard anecdotal reports of loads bound for Canada moving to the spot market because they were not getting covered, describing the situation as "nothing catastrophic."

DHS acknowledged in its notice that the change could bring longer wait times at land ports and cargo delays if enough vaccinated drivers were not available, but it projected minimal, short-term operational impacts.

What it means for drivers and fleets

The US requirement did not apply to US citizen drivers, but Canada's rules did apply to them on northbound runs. Taken together, the two countries' rules meant that, in practice, most cross-border runs called for a vaccinated driver.

Carriers running cross-border freight had to confirm the vaccination status and documentation of their Canadian and Mexican drivers and adjust dispatch accordingly. Fleets and shippers also had to plan for possible capacity gaps on cross-border lanes while the requirements were in effect.