(Washington) After 20 months of restrictions in Europe or neighboring Mexico and Canada, the United States on Monday reopened its ground and air borders to passengers who have been vaccinated with Covit-19.
Divorced families, broken business relationships, career aspirations were thwarted: a travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump (2017-2021) in early 2020, later confirmed by his successor Joe Biden, has become widely criticized and has become a symbol of uprisings. International spread.
Donald Trump imposed restrictions on travel from China in February 2020, extending it to European countries in the Schengen area on March 13 and a few days later to Great Britain and Ireland, while the land borders with Mexico and Canada were largely closed.
Photo by Rob Kurteback, Canadian Press Archives
Ambassador Bridge providing access to the United States in Windsor, Ontario.
With all these countries, the density of human and economic exchanges is immense.
At London-Heathrow Airport on Monday, two Airbus A350s, rival companies British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, took off simultaneously for JFK in New York at 4:50 p.m.
In an interview with the PA Agency, the British Secretary of Transport Robert Courts welcomed the “most important moment in the aviation industry” and the families, especially “Thanksgiving and the approaching Christmas”.
“It was very difficult […] I want to see my son, ”Allison Henry, 63, of Britain, told AFP in New York before leaving.
A total of 3,688 flights are scheduled between the United Kingdom and the United States in November, 21% higher than in October, but 49% lower than before the outbreak, according to specialty firm Syrium.
At the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, Charlotte Boulais, 27, said, “We are delighted to be traveling, re-launching the tour and seeing our friends again.”
“I’m going to New York, we’re going to look around with my husband, we’re going to see our friends who have been there for a year and a half and haven’t seen because of COVID-19,” adds this manufacturer to the pharmacy.
Paul Ceyrac, 34, did not go to the United States for two years, where he usually went to work. He travels to New York to reopen a friend’s restaurant, and then goes to Chicago for investment funding to hire him, he explains, his eyes light up, smiling under his health mask.
Thefts will increase
Many families on both sides of the Atlantic are eagerly awaiting this reunion. It has certainly been possible to travel from the United States to Europe since last summer, but there is no guarantee that foreigners living on U.S. soil and holders of certain visas will be able to return home.
Airlines have increased the number of Atlantic overseas flights and will use larger aircraft. The removal of these restrictions reflects the breath of fresh air to the sector.
In Mexico, authorities expect massive traffic congestion at border checkpoints.
“Small toilets will be installed on all three floors, according to officials in the United States.
Exchange offices in Ciudad Juárez have reported dollar shortages in recent days.
In the north of the continent, wealthy Canadian retirees can, by the time of the first frost, return to Florida (South-East America) by car and re-launch its climate-delicious delicacies.
Entry requirements
More than thirty countries have been affected by the lifting of the travel ban. But entry will not be completely free: US authorities want to monitor the vaccination status of travelers, while at the same time requiring negative tests.
From Monday, the United States will ask flight attendants for proof of vaccination and a test within three days before departure, along with the establishment of an airline communication tracking system.
For the ground route, the restrictions will be removed in two phases.
As of Monday, those arriving for reasons deemed unnecessary, for example family or travel, could cross the border into Canada or Mexico if they were vaccinated. Exemption will be given to those who come for compelling reasons like truck drivers.
From January, the vaccination duty will apply to all visitors crossing land borders, regardless of the reason for entry.
According to U.S. health officials, all vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be approved, namely Chinese vaccines approved for AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer / Bioentech, Indian Kovacin and Emergency Synopharm and Sinovak. .
