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White House could relax COVID-19 travel restrictions as early as May

March 18, 2021
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3 min read
United Airlines And American Airlines Warns Of Furloughs As Travel Remains Devastated From Pandemic
White House could relax COVID-19 travel restrictions as early as May
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The White House could relax restrictions on travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Europe by mid-May, according to CNBC.

The news comes as individual states and cities move to quickly reopen, but there has been no formal announcement about the potential policy shift just yet. CNBC reported that President Joe Biden and his COVID-19 task force "need more time to feel comfortable with reopening borders and increasing the level of air traffic from overseas."

The new measures would affect travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders, sources told CNBC, and on inbound travel from the U.K., Europe and Brazil.

Right now, all travelers flying back to the U.S. from abroad need to test negative for COVID-19. Additionally, since March 2020, the U.S. has limited inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to "essential travel" only. Travelers crossing the border for tourism purposes do not fall under the essential travel designation. Travel by non-citizens from Brazil, South Africa, the U.K. and much of Europe has also been banned.

This may not have any effect on travel restrictions into Canada, which has incredibly strict quarantine and testing mandates. And the ban on nonessential travel between the U.S. and Canada was extended on Thursday until at least April 21, 2021. Government leaders in both countries first announced the border closure one year ago on March 21, 2020, and have extended the order on a near-monthly basis since.

Canada has also tightened its requirements for travelers arriving by air.

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All travelers ages 5 or older must present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to boarding any flight entering Canada from another country. All travelers to Canada must also take a PCR test upon arrival and pay for a three-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel while waiting for the result of the test. If the traveler’s test returns a negative result, they will be able to finish their mandatory 14-day quarantine at home. If a traveler’s test comes back positive, they will be required to quarantine in designated government facilities.

Upon entering office, President Biden doubled down on the ban on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, England, Ireland and 26 additional countries across Europe, known as the Schengen Area. South Africa was also added to that list of countries.

This news comes after Biden urged states to open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1.

“If we do this together, by [July 4], there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” President Biden said.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.