US Travel: So Where Is The Plan For Vaccinated Travelers?

Now, about that US plan for opening borders to all vaccinated travelers, President Biden? Much talked up at the beginning of the month, the whole thing has since fallen into a big, seemingly bottomless pit of silence.

Worse, rather than move to lift the travel ban – and reopen to Europeans and others – the US has just re-closed its border on Canadians. At least for non-essential travel. Indeed, the curbs at both the Canadian and Mexican land borders will continue for at least 30 days. That’s through until September 21.

Far from reciprocity for Canada, the US has snapped those borders shut again. A political backflip of the likes I’ve never seen.

Ongoing Ban On Essential Travel: But What Exactly Is Essential?

What exactly is non-essential? It’s been a capricious and arbitrary definition for months. Who decides on the urgency of personal reasons for travel? And why should some travelers take precedence over those with pressing family and other personal reasons to travel?

Deborah Williams, a travel writer, is part of a group called “Families are Essential”. It’s made up of some 3,000 Americans and Canadians whose lives have been torn apart by the closed US-Canada border.

“More than a year ago, Canada made exceptions for families and couples,” she says. “Then, on August 9, all vaccinated and tested Americans were allowed to cross into Canada by land or air.

“From September 7, everyone else will be allowed in. Meanwhile, the US has done absolutely nothing!

“Unless you live on the border, it is impossible to understand how intertwined our lives are. My life is much more connected to Canada than any neighboring US state.”

Meantime, says US congressman Brian Higgins, the economy is suffering too.

For How Much Longer Will The US Ban Europeans, Other Vaccinated Travelers?

Could anyone please explain to me quite simply why the US border remains closed to any vaccinated traveler? And why does it single out some nations yet lets in unvaccinated travelers from others? And if you work it out, please let me know. For no announcements are forthcoming on the matter. Indeed, no explanations whatsoever.

The lack of reasoning has many people scratching their heads. One is Spanish travel agent, Julio Piñeiro Fernández. “I’m waiting desperately to see Mr. Biden open borders. What the hell are they waiting for?… I am a travel agency owner who can not sell the destination because of the stupid rules.”

With one trip to NYC already canceled, a year later, he still can’t plan with any certainty.

The U.S. Travel Association is also questioning the inaction.

“We believe there is a data-driven, science-based approach to reopening international inbound travel. We have seen other countries, our competition, set timelines. We should be a leader in this regard.” Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Association.

Millions Of Lives In Limbo

It’s really not fair to leave people in the lurch like that. Actually, it’s pretty shoddy. Imagine how many millions of people are affected by such ongoing bans. And the nitty-gritty details of every one of their stories – the large number of which go unheard.

“I have not seen my fiancé for 18 months!” says Riddhi Jani, a researcher at the Institut Curie in Paris. “There is absolutely no logic behind this travel ban! Even as a research scientist, I don’t feel it has any scientific grounds.”

I will continue to go into bat on this issue. Quite simply because I find such ongoing bans absurd, politically capricious, and inhumane.

• UPDATE: As the US lags endlessly on lifting the ban, The EU is toughening up on unvaccinated travelers with new bans on Americans. Fair play and lack of reciprocity has come into this. But most European countries are still open to vaccinated US travelers without extra rules. Logic, sense and safe travel policies reign.