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THE United States (US) reopened its land and air borders on Monday (11/8) to foreign travelers who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, ending 20 months of restrictions on travel from around the world.
The ban, imposed by President Donald Trump in early 2020 and enforced by his successor Joe Biden, has drawn criticism. The restrictions are hugely unpopular in Europe and neighboring the US, Canada and Mexico.
In a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, US borders were closed after March 2020 to travelers from most of the world, including the European Union, UK, China, India and Brazil. Land visitors from Mexico and Canada are also prohibited.
Months of restrictions affecting hundreds of millions of people helped fuel the personal and economic suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s very difficult,” Alison Henry, 63, told AFP, as quoted by News Asia Channel. “I just want to see my son.” The British woman plans to fly Monday (8/11) to see her son who lives in New York, after 20 months apart.
Although travel from the United States to Europe has been possible since the summer, foreign residents in the US who hold certain visas have no guarantee of re-entry to Sam’s country.
To cope with soaring demand, airlines have increased the number of transAtlantic flights and plan to use larger planes as they emerge from the pandemic crisis.
Along the border with Mexico, many cities in the US states of Texas and California are facing economic hardship due to anti-COVID trade restrictions.
Authorities in Mexican border towns on Sunday warned that there would be long lines at border posts. The reopening has also led to a shortage of US dollars at the currency exchange center in Ciudad Juarez.
The government of Ciudad Juarez has implemented a special system for directing traffic, including installing portable toilets on three bridges connecting the United States.
“Because the waiting time is estimated to be up to four hours,” said Alberto Tapia, Cesar Ciudad Juarez Road Safety Director, as reported by Channel News Asia. [sources/photo special]
