The first foreign travellers arrived at US airports, eager to reunite with family and loved ones after a 20-month Covid 19 travel ban The Covid 19
The first foreign travellers arrived at US airports, eager to reunite with family and loved ones after a 20-month Covid 19 travel ban
The Covid 19 pandemic has maintained people apart for more time than any other reason in the latest decades
Gto News brings this story by BBC on the reopening of borders and lift of traveling bans by the US, all credit to BBC
The US has reopened its borders to double-jabbed visitors, ending the restrictions imposed by former President Donald Trump in March 2020.
Families separated
The travel limitations have affected non-US citizens from over 30 countries, including the UK and EU, separating families and stalling tourism.
A flood of visitors landed on Monday, reported BBC.
An incredible upturn
“It feels good, it feels good!” Jerome Thomann, head of Paris-based travel agency Jetset Voyages told Reuters news agency, saying his team had seen an “incredible upturn” in bookings.
Restrictions have been lifted for those who are fully vaccinated, and undergo testing and contact tracing, said BBC.
Back in business
Two flights from London’s Heathrow airport landed in New York City, marking the return of one of the world’s busiest flight paths.
Travellers arriving at John F Kennedy airport were greeted by applause, balloons and cookies, reported BBC.
Attracting tourists
New York City last month launched an aggressive advertising campaign meant to draw foreign visitors back, in the hopes that a surge of tourism dollars will help revive its economy.
The rules barred entry to most non-US citizens who had been in the UK and a number of other European countries, as well as China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil, said BBC.
Where they are
Under the new rules, foreign travellers will need to show proof of vaccination before flying, get a negative Covid 19 test result within three days of travelling, and hand over their contact information. They will not have to quarantine, reported BBC.
Alison Henry, a 63-year-old British mother, told AFP news agency: “It’s been so hard, I just want to see my son.”
Ms Henry, from Cheshire, flew to New York on Monday to see her son for the first time in 20 months.
Land borders
The US land borders with neighbours Canada and Mexico also reopened for the fully vaccinated, said BBC.
Thousands of migrants have arrived in areas along Mexico’s border with the US, hoping to take advantage of the newly relaxed rules.
Aiming North
In southern Mexico, a new caravan of thousands of mainly Central American migrants, many of them children, has crossed from Chiapas to Oaxaca and other Southern Mexican States, with the ultimate aim of reaching the border and being accepted into the US, said BBC.
The Migrant Alliance Group, a Mexico-based advocacy group, has warned that false information is being spread about the new rules in some communities, with many asylum seekers assuming that they will now receive more favourable treatment from border officials.
Some benefits
Businesses in cities along the border with Mexico are hoping for a boost after struggling under America’s Covid restrictions, reported BBC.
United Airlines says it expects a 50% rise in international inbound passengers, while Delta’s chief executive Ed Bastian warned travellers to expect queues.
A bit sloppy
Mr Bastian said: “It’s going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately.”
The EU recommended allowing American travellers into the bloc in June, while visitors from the US have been able to travel to the UK since 28 July.
