With Delta Variant Spreading Worldwide, US to Maintain Overseas Travel Restrictions

In Israel, "Unvaccinated Individuals Urged to Avoid Non-Essential Travel"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States has decided not to lift existing travel restrictions amid the spread of the Delta variant.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated at a briefing on the 26th (local time), "Considering the spread of the Delta variant in the U.S. and worldwide, we will maintain the existing travel restrictions."

This decision was made following a high-level White House meeting on the 23rd. The U.S. government will not accept calls from European governments or its own travel industry to ease regulations.

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, starting January 31 last year with a ban on entry for Chinese nationals, the U.S. has restricted entry from countries with a surge in COVID-19 cases such as the United Kingdom. Foreign media explained, "This means that the measures implemented since last year will not be lifted in the short term."

Psaki said, "Cases are increasing due to the spread of the Delta variant," and predicted, "This trend will continue for the next few weeks." She added, "Infections are rising sharply among the unvaccinated, but vaccinated individuals are avoiding severe illness."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised travel alerts to Level 4 for Spain, Portugal, Cuba, Cyprus, and Kyrgyzstan, advising U.S. citizens to refrain from traveling. The travel alert for Israel was upgraded from Level 1 to Level 3, recommending unvaccinated individuals avoid non-essential travel.

The U.S. is also applying strict standards to allied and friendly countries. It remains cautious even toward countries that have allowed vaccinated Americans to enter. While Canada has announced it will open its border to vaccinated Americans starting next month on the 9th, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated it will extend border closure measures with Canada and Mexico at least until August 21. The U.S. maintains the existing Level 1 status for South Korea.

Meanwhile, some U.S. federal agencies and local governments have begun mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. The Department of Veterans Affairs became the first federal agency to require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of this day.

The City of New York has ordered 340,000 city employees, including police officers and teachers, to complete vaccination by September 13. California has required about 246,000 state employees and healthcare workers to be vaccinated. In both regions, those who do not get vaccinated must undergo regular COVID-19 testing.