In a meeting on Thursday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Joe Biden said that discussions regarding the United States reopening to travel from Europe are “in process now” and that he would be able to provide more information in a few days’ time according to CNN.
In mid-June, the European Union recommended to its member states that they reopen to the United States (among a list of countries), “subject to confirmation of reciprocity.” The United States at the time did not determine whether it would reopen to travelers from the bloc (and has not yet since); however, numerous European countries went along with the reopening. Several of these include Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Sweden, while others, including France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Malta and Croatia, previously announced plans to or already had reopened to Americans.
U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes, said the organization welcomed the news, adding “The science says we can safely reopen international travel now, particularly for countries that have made considerable progress toward vaccinating their citizens. With proper safeguards in place, studies by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University have all independently concluded the safety of air travel today.
“Each day that outdated restrictions on travel exist wreaks economic damage on our nation, not to mention the personal toll on individuals separated from their families and loved ones. Travel bans related to Canada, Europe and the U.K. alone cost the U.S. economy $1.5 billion every week—enough to support 10,000 American jobs.
“The U.S. travel industry urges the Biden administration, in accordance with the latest science, to swiftly revise its entry policies on international travel.”
Earlier in July, U.S. Travel joined a group of two-plus dozen industry organizations that created and shared with the U.S. Government a “blueprint” for reopening international travel. Some of the guidelines included:
- Reserving entry restrictions for only the highest-risk countries
- Replacing all other blanket travel restrictions with a framework of entry protocols based on a country-by-country and individual traveler risk assessment
- Ensuring the framework is easy to understand, communicate and implement
Beyond the private organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also called for reciprocity on the reopening of United States-European Union travel. Marjorie Chorlins, U.S. Chamber senior vice president for European affairs, said at the time: "The resumption of safe transatlantic travel is critically important for our nation’s economic recovery, as in-person business engagements and international tourism will help drive economic growth and job creation for Americans across the country.”
Related Stories
European Travel Commission Encourages Americans to Visit Europe
Transport Canada Lifts Cruise Ship Ban, Effective November 1
Italian Decree Bans Cruise Ships From Venice, Starting August 1
Vaccinated Travelers, Minors Can Visit Costa Rica Sans Insurance