The US will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated international visitors from November 8, ending historic restrictions that had barred much of the world from entering the country for as long as 21 months.
The unprecedented travel restrictions kept millions of visitors out of the United States from China, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, Brazil, much of Europe and elsewhere; shrunk US tourism; and hurt border community economies. They prevented many loved ones and foreign workers from reuniting with families.
US allies had heavily lobbied the Biden administration to lift the rules. Many praised Friday's announcement, including Sweden's ambassador to the United States Karin Olofsdotter, who called it "very welcoming news."
White House spokesman Kevin Munoz confirmed the November 8 date on Twitter, adding the policy "is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent."
Restrictions on non-US citizens were first imposed on air travellers from China in January 2020 by then-President Donald Trump and then extended to dozens of other countries, without any clear metrics for how and when to lift them.
US airline, hotel and cruise industry stocks rose on the news, including American Airlines, up 2.8 per cent; Marriott International Inc, up 3.7 per cent; and Carnival Corp, up 0.9 per cent.
US international air passenger traffic was down 43 per cent in August and overall passenger air traffic was down 21 per cent over pre-pandemic levels, the US Transportation Department said Friday.
Airlines have seen an increase in international ticket sales in recent weeks after the White House announced plans to lift the restrictions, Nick Calio, chief executive of the Airlines for America industry trade group, said in a statement.
Calio said the "full reopening of international travel is also critical to reviving economies around the globe, reinvigorating communities and supporting millions of jobs in the US and abroad."
The United States had lagged many other countries in lifting such restrictions.
Non-US air travellers will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding a flight, and will need to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Foreign visitors crossing a land border will not need to show proof of a recent negative test.
The new rules do not require foreign visitors or Americans entering the country to go into quarantine.
© RAW 2021