This was a day that held out considerable hope for many in the travel business in the United States and Canada.
No such luck.
Reuters reports that The Biden administration on Thursday said it was extending a requirement that non-U.S. citizens crossing land or ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The requirements were first adopted in November as part of reopening the United States to land crossings by foreign tourists after the borders had been closed to most visitors since March 2020.
The rules were set to expire tonight, April 21. There’s no indication yet as to how long the vaccination rules extension for land borders will be in place.
Unlike international air travelers headed to the United States, people traveling at land or ferry crossings do not need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, Reuters said.
Many in the tourism/travel business had hoped the U.S. today would announce an end to mandatory COVID-19 testing for those flying to the States, but no such announcement was made.
Department of Homeland Security officials said the decision was made after consultations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “and several other agencies.”
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to protecting public health while facilitating lawful trade and travel, which is essential to our economic security,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said today.
Meanwhile, an international survey conducted by a company called YouGov found that travelers are frustrated by a sea of changing travel restrictions around the world.
| An international survey of people in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Gulf reveals widespread confusion around health requirements for air travel, and fears that the aviation sector is not prepared for another global health crisis
Many people in every country surveyed say they chose not to fly in 2021 because of Covid-related requirements 46% of respondents in the US, 61% of people in Italy, 65% of people in the UK, and 68% of people in the Gulf chose not to fly in 2021 because of the health-related requirements And in a worrying sign for the sector’s recovery, it finds that a third of Americans (32%), 40% Italians, 40% of Brits, and nearly half (46%) of people in the Gulf say that confusion over health requirements will keep them from flying in 2022. |
Comments on this entry are closed.
Tourism and travel briskness is one thing, but what about families separated for over 2 years now!!
Why isn’t there a pass for unvaccinated families to be together again! For children to meet their grandparents, actually see their homes and spend precious time together that goes so quickly in those early years!
So heartbroken and disappointed that families haven’t even been shown any consideration!