Happy Reunions At Newark Airport, Others As U.S. Travel Ban Ends

NEWARK, NJ — Travelers in New Jersey were among those who had emotional reunions on Monday after more than 18 months of federal pandemic restrictions ended.

Jolly Dave was among those who got a chance to finally meet a loved one again, reuniting at Newark Liberty International Airport with her boyfriend, Nirmit Shelat (see above photo). The couple hasn’t been able to see one another for nine months because of the U.S. restrictions, according to the Associated Press.

The United States has reopened its air and land borders to dozens of nations that were previously on its travel ban, which prohibited visitors from 33 countries, including China, Brazil, South Africa and much of Europe.

Under the new rules, “fully vaccinated” residents of foreign countries will be allowed to enter the U.S. if they can show their airline proof of vaccination and a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of travel. Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the vaccine requirement, but must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Airlines must verify vaccine records and match them against a traveler’s ID; those that don't could face fines of up to nearly $35,000 per violation.

The Biden administration is leaving a loophole for people who live in countries where vaccines are scarce, including about 50 nations where fewer than 10 percent of people have been vaccinated. Travelers from those countries will need permission from the U.S. government to come – and it can't be just for tourism or business travel.

U.S. residents who want to fly outside the country won’t have to show proof of a vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day, instead of three days if they’ve been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, land travel from Mexico and Canada will require proof of vaccination but no test.

The change in policy comes after other international bans have been lifted; U.S. travelers have been allowed to fly to Europe for months, for example.

Airports across the nation are preparing for a big uptick in travel amid the holiday season, including beefing up their coronavirus precautions.

At Newark Airport and JFK Airport in New York City, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set up a new COVID testing pilot program with XpresCheck. It uses “pooled testing” instead of a single test for each person, and is currently voluntary for passengers, PIX 11 News reported.

• See related article: Newark Airport Offers Coronavirus, Antibody Tests For Passengers

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