International Travelers Might Have to Wait to Visit U.S. Again
As the coronavirus started spreading in the United States earlier in the year, travel was banned for most international travelers looking to visit the country. But opening up travel back again to foreign visitors could take a while.
U.S. borders remain virtually shut to travelers from China and Europe, and even neighbors Canada and Mexico. A ban was put in place in January for most travelers coming from China, and in March for travelers from Europe in March. Nonessential travel across shared borders with Canada and Mexico was also halted in March.
Easing travel restrictions will depend on a variety of factors. First countries need to have the pandemic under control and have safety protocols in place. Countries will also need to grant entry to Americans before their citizens are allowed to travel to the United States, officials told Reuters. That could be an issue with the virus still spreading and death toll rising in some areas of the country.
Airlines are also hoping that travel to China resumes in June, but the possibility of lifting restrictions is complicated. China still has strict restrictions on foreign carriers, limiting foreign airlines to one flight into the country per week, with 75% of passenger capacity.
The European Union on the other hand could soon reopen internal borders and restart travel. But Europe’s external borders remain closed for now and will not open until at least mid-June. So unless Europe opens up borders to Americans, European travelers will not be able to visit the United States either. U.S. officials are also mindful that many of the initial infections in the United States originated in Italy.
International travelers are a main source of income for many businesses in the country, so it is in everyone interest for travel to resume, in a safe manner. International arrivals to the U.S. totaled approximately 79 million in 2019. International travel spending directly supported about 1.2 million U.S. jobs and $33.6 billion in wages based on a US Travel Association report.
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