Travellers started heading to the United States on Monday to see family and friends for the first time in nearly two years following the lifting of restrictions on the entry of non-U.S. citizens imposed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The extraordinary U.S. travel restrictions, first imposed in early 2020, had barred access to air travellers from 33 countries – including China, India and much of Europe – and had also restricted overland entry from Mexico and Canada.
The unprecedented ban has dealt a huge blow to tourism but also kept loved ones from attending weddings, funerals, or meeting new babies.
- Hugs and kisses, as Australia eases international border curbs spurred by pandemic
- U.S. FAA proposes 10-hour rest periods for flight attendants between shifts
From Monday travellers who can show official proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and have had a recent, negative viral test can fly to the United States.
“We went from zero activity to one that is similar to October 2019 levels, so before COVID,” said Jerome Thomann, of Paris-based Jetset Voyages travel agency, which specialises in trips to North America.
There are expected to be few if any empty seats on many of the international flights from London, Paris and elsewhere on Monday, and passenger volume is expected to remain high in the coming weeks.
