US expects delays Monday when COVID-19 travel restriction lifts, official says

The United States is preparing for long lines and delays on Monday when restrictions are lifted on non-US citizen international travelers who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, a senior official said Friday. President Joe Biden's administration "expects pent-up demand for travel, which means longer than normal wait times for travelers," the official said. The government was boosting staffing to pre-pandemic levels but "long lines are expected in the initial days." The US on Monday is lifting travel restrictions for fully vaccinated air travelers from 33 countries and at its land borders with Mexico and Canada, ending the historic entry bans to address the spread of COVID-19 for much of the world's population. The official said land border traffic has been about 70% of 2019 levels on the Southwest border and 30% of 2019 levels on the Northern border. US Customs and Border Protection "will continue to adjust its resources to meet traffic workload demands and ensure operational security, while balancing its trade facilitation and national security mission," the official said. Travelers should familiarize themselves with the new guidelines and have their documentation ready in advance, the official said. Delta CE Ed Bastian has also said travelers should be prepared for long lines initially from Monday.<br/>