U.S. Expected to Ease Restrictions on Travelers from U.K. and Europe
by Daniel McCarthy /
The United States is expected to again open up its borders to travelers from the European Union and the United Kingdom starting in November.
According to multiple reports, along with statements from the White House’s COVID-19 team, the U.S. expects to reopen to vaccinated travelers only in early November, with proof of vaccination required in order to board planes into the U.S.
The long-awaited announcement would allow those travelers to again fly into the U.S. and avoid quarantines, as long as they are fully vaccinated and can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel.
At the same time, the White House said that unvaccinated Americans returning from abroad will need to be tested within a day before they travel back to the U.S. and on their return. Fully vaccinated American citizens will not have to test or travel.
The announcement finally provides a roadmap for the U.S. travel industry to start the climb back to normal operations after a large absence of international travel over the last year and a half.
In a statement, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow said the news could be a "major turning point" in the management of the pandemic and the travel industry's recovery.
"The U.S. Travel Association applauds the Biden administration’s announcement of a roadmap to reopen air travel to vaccinated individuals from around the world, which will help revive the American economy and protect public health.
"This is a major turning point in the management of the virus and will accelerate the recovery of the millions of travel-related jobs that have been lost due to international travel restrictions.
"The U.S. Travel Association expresses its deep appreciation to the President and his advisors – in particular Commerce Secretary Raimondo, who has been a tireless advocate – for working with the industry to develop a plan to restart international travel and safely reconnect America with the world."
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) on Monday also announced its support of the move, writing that it "joins our peers across the travel and tourism sector to express our appreciation to the Biden Administration for recognizing the importance of international travel to the U.S. economy and for establishing a path for international visitors to travel to the United States responsibly."
"Our members look forward to welcoming international travelers, including from the United Kingdom and the European Union, back to the United States while continuing to prioritize public health."