A COVID-19 mandatory vaccine requirement for all non-U.S. citizens coming across the borders from Canada and Mexico that includes truck drivers went into effect today, Saturday, January 22, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it will require non-U.S. individuals – including truck drivers – seeking entry into the United States from Canada and Mexico to provide proof of vaccination beginning Saturday, Jan. 22.

"Starting?on?Jan. 22, the Department of Homeland Security will?require?that?non-U.S.?individuals?entering the United States via?land ports of entry or ferry terminals along?our northern and?southern?borders?be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show related proof of?vaccination,"?Secretary?Alejandro N.?Mayorkas said in a news release.?"These updated?travel?requirements?reflect the Biden-Harris?Administration's commitment to?protecting public health while safely facilitating?the?cross-border trade and travel?that is?critical to?our economy." (Source.)

Canada implemented a similar COVID-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. truck drivers entering Canada last week, and it is already disrupting the supply chains in Canada.

Canada's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers went into effect over the weekend. Now, the United States plans to implement a similar mandate beginning Saturday, Jan. 22.

Each country's rule prevents unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truckers from crossing the border. Both rules have been criticized because they could create more supply chain disruptions.

Bloomberg reported this week that Canada's rule already has led to a surge in produce prices. George Pitsikoulis, president of Montreal-based distributor Canadawide Fruits, told Bloomberg that the cost of transporting produce out of California and Arizona to Canada jumped 25%. In addition, a recent Wall Street Journal article stated that two-way trade in merchandise goods between the United States and Canada totaled more than $600 billion in 2019. It is estimated that about 80% of those goods moved on trucks.