WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says the U.S. will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
International visitors will need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Vehicle, rail and ferry travel between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to essential travel, such as trade, since the beginning of the pandemic.
The rules announced Wednesday will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals U.S. entry regardless of the reason for travel. That starts in early November, when a similar easing of restrictions kicks in for air travel.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says he's "pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria tweeted: "... I’ll just say I’m so proud of our border city and what we’ve accomplished by being persistent and working together. Rest easy San Diego, better days are on the horizon for our binational region."
