US President Joe Biden has hinted that an announcement on the lifting of travel restrictions from
Europe may be made in the coming days.
President Biden was pressed about the reopening of international travel across the Atlantic by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a meeting at
the White House.
He said, "It’s
in process now. I’ll be able to answer that question within the next several
days. I’m waiting to hear from our folks in our Covid team as to when that
should be done.”
Commenting on the news, Martin Ferguson, American
Express Global Business Travel’s VP of global communications & public affairs,
said: “President
Biden’s remarks are encouraging. The business community and the travel and
aviation sectors need a timeline for the return of international travel. We
know from our customers that there is huge pent-up demand across Europe for
travel to the United States. Airlines and airports will need advance notice to
scale up and be ready. We’d therefore urge the US administration to provide
clarity as soon as possible.”
US Travel Association executive VP of public affairs
and policy Tori Emerson Barnes said in a statement: “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 US 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“Each day that outdated restrictions on travel exist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 UK alone cost the US economy $1.5 billion every
week – enough to support 10,000 American jobs.
“The US travel industry urges the Biden
administration, in accordance with the latest science, to swiftly revise its
entry policies on international travel.”