Open up with caution
Even though various countries including parts of Europe are witnessing a surge in covid-19 cases but one important development has been reported from the United States. The country lifted restrictions on travel from a long list of countries including Mexico, Canada and most of Europe, allowing tourists to make long-delayed trips and family members to reconnect with loved ones after more than a year and a half apart because of the pandemic.
Starting from this week the USis accepting fully vaccinated travellers at airports and land borders, doing away with a COVID-19 restriction that dates back to the Trump administration. The new rules allow air travel from previously restricted countries as long as the traveller has proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. Land travel from Mexico and Canada will require proof of vaccination but no test.
Notably, after the announcement airlines are expecting more travellers from Europe and elsewhere. Data from travel and analytics firm Cirium showed airlines are increasing flights between the United Kingdom and the US by 21% this month over last month.
The change will have a profound effect on the borders with Mexico and Canada, where travelling back and forth was a way of life until the pandemic hit and the US shut down nonessential travel.
The travel ban and subsequent low footfall of the people led to malls, restaurants and main street shops in US border towns witnessing devastation by the lack of visitors from Mexico. On the boundary with Canada, cross-border hockey rivalries were community traditions until being upended by the pandemic.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the US will accept travellers who have been fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation, not just those in use in the U.S. That means that the AstraZeneca vaccine, widely used in Canada and Covishield and Covaxin being administered in India will be accepted.
The moves come as the US has seen its COVID-19 outlook improve dramatically in recent weeks since the summer delta surge that pushed hospitals to the brink in many locations.
The opening up in the United States will ensure that many more countries will offer their services and tourism activities to the outside world. This movement of people will not only ensure business revivals but will also help in increasing the jobs that have otherwise been evading the people who are in need.
The pandemic has meant that economies have shrunk across the globe creating a surge in unemployment and loss of work. Now that the world is moving towards opening up, new vistas will be created for those who have been hit hard by the pandemic and the slowdown.
However, as the movement of people increases a word of caution needs also to be put forth so that people do not take the covid-19 pandemic lightly and start violating the covid-19 protocols.
It seems more important as the world cannot afford moving back to the decision of opening up. After all economies are under tremendous stress and they deserve some respite.
KV Network
