Ending Their 20-Month Entry Ban, United States Opens International Borders

Illustration of queues at the United States border (Wikimedia Commons/dherrera_96)

JAKARTA - The United States reopened its international borders on Monday to foreign arrivals who had already received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, ending a 20-month entry ban.

Citing the BBC on November 8, the ban was previously imposed by President Donald Trump, in line with the COVID-19 outbreak. This policy affects non-US citizens from more than 30 countries, including the UK and European Union countries, separating families and stopping tourism.

Airlines are expecting a flood of visitors as restrictions are lifted for those who are fully vaccinated and undergoing testing and contact tracing.

"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 a 'tremendous increase' in bookings.

In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, US borders were initially closed to travelers from China in early 2020. Restrictions were later extended to other countries.

The rules bar the entry of most non-US citizens who have been in the UK and a number of other European countries, as well as China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.

Under the new rules, foreign travelers must present proof of vaccination before flying, get a negative COVID-19 test result three days before travel, and submit their contact information. However, they do not need to be quarantined.

Alison Henry, a 63-year-old British mother, told the AFP news agency: "This (restrictions) are very tough, I just want to see my son."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Henry, from Cheshire, plans to fly to New York on Monday to see his son for the first time in 20 months.

The United States' land borders with Canada and Mexico will also reopen for those who have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, thousands of migrants have arrived in areas along Mexico's border with the US, hoping to take advantage of the newly relaxed rules.

In southern Mexico, a new caravan of thousands of mainly Central American migrants, predominantly children, has crossed from Chiapas into the state of Oaxaca, with the ultimate goal of reaching the border and being received in the US.

The Migrant Alliance Group, an advocacy group based in Mexico, has warned that false information is spreading about the new rules in some communities, with many asylum seekers assuming they will now receive better treatment from border officials.

Businesses in cities along the border with Mexico are also hoping for better conditions, having struggled under the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

United Airlines said it expected a 50 percent increase in incoming international flight passengers, with Delta chief executive Ed Bastian warning travelers to anticipate queues.

"It's going to be a little sloppy at first. I can assure you, unfortunately, there will be a line," Bastian said.

To note, the European Union recommends allowing American travelers into the bloc in June, while visitors from Uncle Sam's country have been able to travel to the UK since 28 July.