We'd given up hope, but here's some good news after several months of procrastination. Visit The United States must officially reopen its borders to international travellers. And this, from 1 November.
This reopening had been mooted as early as March by US President Joe Biden, who was banking on May. This plan was derailed by the surge in cases of Covid due to the Delta virus.
The US government's decision has in fact restored the reputation of a US administration that has so far failed to shine on the international stage. The 18-month ban on entering the country has, over time, become a source of friction with the European Union.
Vaccinated visitors only
But it has also been met with incomprehension by air transport and tourism professionals. According to the US Travel Association, the US tourism industry recorded a loss of 500 billion dollars in travel spending last year in 2020, including a 79 % fall in spending on international travellers.
The Biden administration has stated that, for the time being, only citizens of 33 countries will be able to travel to the United States for non-essential reasons. The list includes countries in the European Union (including France) and Switzerland, as well as China, Brazil and India. The key to entry into the United States will be proof of vaccination. All international passengers will be required to show this before boarding.
According to Jeffrey D. Zients, the White House coordinator for the fight against the pandemic travellers will also be required to undergo a negative coronavirus screening test within three days of arriving in the United States. Only travellers arriving by air will benefit from these new regulations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also shortly be issuing a directive calling for airlines to collect travellers' telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. A new passenger identification system will incorporate this information.
The authorities will then follow up travellers after their arrival to ask them if they are still showing symptoms of the virus. Lhe CDCP will also have to specify which vaccines will be considered valid.
This easing comes just over a week after the European Union asked its members to restrict the entry of Americans for non-essential reasons. The world is far from perfect!
