The United States will open its land borders with Mexico and Canada in early November to non-essential travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a senior White House official announced.

The White House source said the land border reopening would happen in two phases, according to an AFP report.

Initially, vaccines will be required for “non-essential” trips — such as visiting family or tourism — though unvaccinated travellers will still be allowed into the country for “essential” trips as they have been for the last year and a half.

A second phase beginning in “early January” 2022 will require all visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated, no matter the reason for their trip.