The changes, to take effect in November, will allow families
and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to
plan for long-awaited reunifications and allow foreigners with work permits to
get back to their jobs in the U.S.
Airlines, business groups and travelers cheered.
“It’s a happy day. Big Apple, here I come!” said French
entrepreneur Stephane Le Breton, 45, finally able to book a trip to New York
City that had been put on hold over the virus restrictions.
The new policy will replace a patchwork of travel bans first
instituted by President Donald Trump last year and tightened by President Joe
Biden that restrict travel by non-citizens who have in the prior 14 days been
in the United Kingdom, European Union, China, India, Iran, Republic of Ireland,
Brazil or South Africa.
White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients announced the
new policies, which still will require all foreign travelers flying to the U.S.
to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a
negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of flight. Biden will also
tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be
tested within a day before returning to the U.S., as well as after they arrive
home.
Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to
quarantine, Zients said.
There will be no immediate change to U.S. land border
policies, which restrict much cross-border travel with Mexico and Canada.
The travel bans had become the source of growing
geopolitical frustration, particularly among allies in the UK and EU. The
easing comes ahead of Biden meeting with some European leaders on the margins
of the United Nations General Assembly this week.
“This is based on individuals rather than a country-based
approach, so it’s a stronger system,” Zients said.
The EU and UK had previously moved to allow vaccinated U.S.
travelers in without quarantines, in an effort to boost business and tourism.
But the EU recommended last month that some travel restrictions be reimposed on
U.S. travelers to the bloc because of the rampant spread of the delta variant
of the coronavirus in America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require
airlines to collect contact information from international travelers to
facilitate tracing, Zients said.
It was not immediately clear which vaccines would be
acceptable under the U.S. system and whether those unapproved in the U.S. could
be used. Zients said that decision would be up to the CDC.
Monday’s announcement was met with applause by the air
travel industry, which has lost significant revenue from declines in
international travel.
Delta Air Lines spokesman Morgan Durrant said, “Science
tells us that vaccinations coupled with testing is the safest way to re-open
travel, and we are optimistic this important decision will allow for the
continued economic recovery both in the U.S. and abroad and the reunification
of families who have been separated for more than 18 months.”
Worldwide, air travel is still down more than half from
pre-pandemic levels, and the decline is much sharper for cross-border flying.
By July, domestic travel had recovered to 84% of 2019 numbers, but
international travel was just 26% of the same month two years ago, according to
figures this month from the airline industry’s main global trade group, the
International Air Transport Association.
The numbers are similar but not quite as stark for the U.S.,
where international travel in August was 46% of that in August 2019, according
to Airlines for America. Arrivals by non-U.S. citizens were only 36% of the
2019 level.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was
“delighted” by the news. He said: “It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade,
and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited
once again.”
Airlines hailed the U.S. decision as a lifeline for the
struggling industry. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines
U.K. said it was “a major breakthrough.”
Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said it was
“a major milestone. ... The U.K. will now be able to strengthen ties with our
most important economic partner, the U.S., boosting trade and tourism as well
as reuniting friends, families and business colleagues.”
The changes also drew praise from business groups, who have
been contending with labor shortages as the economy bounces back with
unexpected strength from last year’s coronavirus recession. U.S. employers have
been posting job openings — a record 10.9 million in July — faster than
applicants can fill them.
Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs for the U..S.
Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement, “Allowing vaccinated foreign
nationals to travel freely to the United States will help foster a robust and
durable recovery for the American economy.” -AP
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