The United States will reopen its land borders to non-essential travel next month, ending a 19-month lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country takes steps to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Travel by car, train, or ferry between the United States and its neighbors, Mexico and Canada, have been restricted to essential transfers, such as commercial activities, since the early days of the pandemic.
The new rules, to be announced on Wednesday, will allow foreigners with a full vaccination scheme to enter the United States regardless of the reason for travel beginning in early November, when a measure similar to arrivals by air to the country is implemented.
By mid-January, even travelers in essential activities, such as truck drivers, who intend to enter the United States, will have to be fully vaccinated.
Senior government officials gave a preview of the new measure Tuesday on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the issue before the formal announcement.
Both Mexico and Canada have pressured the United States for months to ease travel restrictions that have separated families and limited leisure travel since the beginning of the pandemic.
The latest move comes weeks after the announcement that the United States will end restrictions on air travel from some countries, and will instead require proof of vaccination for foreigners attempting to arrive by plane.
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