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Scenes of joy as first visitors arrive in US after 20-month ban | Scenes of joy as first visitors arrive in US after 20-month ban |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Kushnahar Begum is re-united with her grandson in New York City | |
The first foreign travellers have arrived at US airports, eager to reunite with family and loved ones after a 20-month Covid-19 travel ban. | The first foreign travellers have arrived at US airports, eager to reunite with family and loved ones after a 20-month Covid-19 travel ban. |
The US on Monday reopened its borders to double-jabbed visitors, ending the restrictions imposed by former President Donald Trump in March 2020. | The US on Monday reopened its borders to double-jabbed visitors, ending the restrictions imposed by former President Donald Trump in March 2020. |
The travel limitations have affected non-US citizens from over 30 countries, including the UK and EU, separating families and stalling tourism. | The travel limitations have affected non-US citizens from over 30 countries, including the UK and EU, separating families and stalling tourism. |
A flood of visitors landed on Monday. | |
"It feels good, it feels good!" Jerome Thomann, head of Paris-based travel agency Jetset Voyages told Reuters news agency, saying his team had seen an "incredible upturn" in bookings. | "It feels good, it feels good!" Jerome Thomann, head of Paris-based travel agency Jetset Voyages told Reuters news agency, saying his team had seen an "incredible upturn" in bookings. |
Restrictions have been lifted for those who are fully vaccinated, and undergo testing and contact tracing. | Restrictions have been lifted for those who are fully vaccinated, and undergo testing and contact tracing. |
Two flights from London's Heathrow airport landed in New York City - marking the return of one of the world's busiest flight paths. | |
Travellers arriving at John F Kennedy airport were greeted by applause, balloons and cookies. | |
Couples and families celebrate seeing each other again at New York's John F Kennedy airport | Couples and families celebrate seeing each other again at New York's John F Kennedy airport |
New York City last month launched an aggressive advertising campaign meant to draw foreign visitors back, in the hopes that a surge of tourism dollars will help revive its economy. | New York City last month launched an aggressive advertising campaign meant to draw foreign visitors back, in the hopes that a surge of tourism dollars will help revive its economy. |
The rules barred entry to most non-US citizens who had been in the UK and a number of other European countries, as well as China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil. | The rules barred entry to most non-US citizens who had been in the UK and a number of other European countries, as well as China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil. |
Under the new rules, foreign travellers will need to show proof of vaccination before flying, get a negative Covid-19 test result within three days of travelling, and hand over their contact information. They will not have to quarantine. | Under the new rules, foreign travellers will need to show proof of vaccination before flying, get a negative Covid-19 test result within three days of travelling, and hand over their contact information. They will not have to quarantine. |
US border reopening to bring longed-for reunions | US border reopening to bring longed-for reunions |
US reopens border to fully vaccinated UK visitors | US reopens border to fully vaccinated UK visitors |
What are the UK and US travel rules? | What are the UK and US travel rules? |
Alison Henry, a 63-year-old British mother, told AFP news agency: "It's been so hard - I just want to see my son." | Alison Henry, a 63-year-old British mother, told AFP news agency: "It's been so hard - I just want to see my son." |
Ms Henry, from Cheshire, plans to fly to New York on Monday to see her son for the first time in 20 months. | Ms Henry, from Cheshire, plans to fly to New York on Monday to see her son for the first time in 20 months. |
The US land borders with neighbours Canada and Mexico will also reopen for the fully vaccinated. | The US land borders with neighbours Canada and Mexico will also reopen for the fully vaccinated. |
Thousands of migrants have arrived in areas along Mexico's border with the US, hoping to take advantage of the newly relaxed rules. | |
In southern Mexico, a new caravan of thousands of mainly Central American migrants - many of them children - has crossed from Chiapas to Oaxaca state, with the ultimate aim of reaching the border and being accepted into the US. | In southern Mexico, a new caravan of thousands of mainly Central American migrants - many of them children - has crossed from Chiapas to Oaxaca state, with the ultimate aim of reaching the border and being accepted into the US. |
The Migrant Alliance Group, a Mexico-based advocacy group, has warned that false information is being spread about the new rules in some communities - with many asylum seekers assuming that they will now receive more favourable treatment from border officials. | The Migrant Alliance Group, a Mexico-based advocacy group, has warned that false information is being spread about the new rules in some communities - with many asylum seekers assuming that they will now receive more favourable treatment from border officials. |
Monday is expected to be filled with such reunions of long-separated loved ones | Monday is expected to be filled with such reunions of long-separated loved ones |
Businesses in cities along the border with Mexico are hoping for a boost after struggling under America's Covid restrictions. | |
United Airlines says it expects a 50% rise in international inbound passengers, while Delta's chief executive Ed Bastian warned travellers to expect queues. | United Airlines says it expects a 50% rise in international inbound passengers, while Delta's chief executive Ed Bastian warned travellers to expect queues. |
Mr Bastian said: "It's going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately." | Mr Bastian said: "It's going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately." |
The EU recommended allowing American travellers into the bloc in June, while visitors from the US have been able to travel to the UK since 28 July. | The EU recommended allowing American travellers into the bloc in June, while visitors from the US have been able to travel to the UK since 28 July. |