US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated
WASHINGTON :The U.S. will reopen its land borders to nonessential
travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the
country moves to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against
the coronavirus.
Vehicle, rail and ferry travel between the U.S. and Canada
and Mexico has been largely restricted to essential travel, such as trade,
since the earliest days of the pandemic. The new rules, to be announced
Wednesday, will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S.
regardless of the reason for travel starting in early November, when a similar
easing of restrictions is set to kick in for air travel into the country. By
mid-January, even essential travelers seeking to enter the U.S., like truck
drivers, will need to be fully vaccinated.
Senior administration officials previewed the new policy
late Tuesday on the condition of anonymity to speak ahead of the formal
announcement.
Both Mexico and Canada have pressed the U.S. for months to
ease restrictions on travel that have separated families and curtailed leisure
trips since the onset of the pandemic. The latest move follows last month’s
announcement that the U.S. will end country-based travel bans for air travel,
and instead require vaccination for foreign nationals seeking to enter by
plane.
Sourec apnews
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