US extends travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Non-essential travel restrictions for the U.S. northern and southern borders have been extended yet again until Aug. 21.
• The decision comes as the delta variant continues to spread, accounting for 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases.
• Airlines have bemoaned the decision, pointing to Canada’s looser restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers.

The United States has extended COVID-19 travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico yet again, with borders remaining closed until Aug. 21.

The borders were first closed off from leisure travelers back in March 2020. Since then, restrictions have been extended on a monthly basis as COVID-19 cases continue to spread.

The previous restrictions were set to end on Thursday, July 21. According to documents to be published in the Federal Register, entry into the U.S. by land and ferry travel will continue to be restricted until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 21.

The decision comes despite Canada’s decision to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents on Aug. 9. They also plan to allow fully vaccinated travelers from any country on Sept. 7.

Back in January, air travel into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico has been allowed as long as there’s proof of a negative coronavirus test or recovery from COVID-19 before boarding.

The rise of the delta variant, which accounts for 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, may have influenced the decision to extend travel restrictions.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “is in constant contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably,” said spokesperson Angelo Fernández on Wednesday.

They added that conditions are improving, but still unsafe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had downgraded COVID-19 travel alert levels for Canada and Mexico from level 4 or “very high” to level 3 or “high” on June 7.

The travel industry reacts

Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Association trade group, argued that “it is past time that the U.S. reciprocates” Canada’s decision to allow “vaccinated Americans to cross the land border and visit.”

“There is no difference between a fully vaccinated Canadian and a fully vaccinated American,” Barnes pointed out.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby acknowledged the administration’s decision to put safety first, but expressed his belief that easing border restrictions would help the world’s pandemic recovery.

Kirby told CNBC on Wednesday, “We have similar vaccination rates, similar case rates. We have similar variants. We’re not going to prevent the delta variant from coming to the United States by closing those borders because it’s already here.’’

But White House press secretary Jen Psaki pointed out on Monday, “Any decisions about resuming travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts. … I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention.”

Source: USA Today