Families Reunited At JFK Airport For 1st Time In Nearly 2 Years, As Vaccinated International Travelers Allowed Back Into U.S. – CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Worldwide journey to the U.S. resumed Monday for vacationers, as historic restrictions have been lifted for individuals who are absolutely vaccinated.
With these restrictions lifted for the primary time in almost two years, airways warn vacationers to organize for lengthy strains.
Vacationers CBS2’s Natalie Duddridge spoke to didn’t thoughts. They stated they’d do something to lastly see their family members once more on American soil.
“It was one of the best day of my life,” Jhuly Soares advised Duddridge.
Soares was selecting up her mom, Maria, on the airport after she landed from Brazil, seeing her for the primary time in what she stated felt like endlessly.
Adriano Silva was additionally overjoyed to see his mom, who arrived on the identical flight.
“One yr and 9 months,” he stated. “It’s good, it’s nice!”
Hey, world 🌍 We’re welcoming worldwide vacationers again to NYC right now, the place they’ll be part of the 1.6 million individuals who have been visiting #TimesSquare every week! pic.twitter.com/JkoaovoGvo
— Occasions Sq. (@TimesSquareNYC) November 8, 2021
For greater than 20 months, a journey ban has prevented guests from 33 international locations from coming to the US, however that modified Monday.
In celebration, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic teamed up for the primary ever business twin take-off at Heathrow Airport from London to New York.
READ MORE: CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis Joins International Travelers For Long-Awaited Reunions At JFK Airport
Airways need to examine to verify worldwide vacationers are absolutely vaccinated with vaccines authorised for emergency use by the World Well being Group, not simply these authorised within the U.S. Kids underneath 18 are exempt from this rule.
Land borders with Mexico and Canada are as soon as once more open for absolutely vaccinated vacationers, and border safety can be spot checking documentation.
“It’s been a protracted 20 months — right now is the day so many people have been ready for. To our Canadian mates: Welcome again to New York!” Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted Monday.
It’s been a protracted 20 months — right now is the day so many people have been ready for.
To our Canadian mates: Welcome again to New York!
To my fellow New Yorkers: Whenever you see the license plates from Ontario and Quebec, be sure you wave & greet our neighbors. 🇺🇸🇨🇦
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 8, 2021
New York Metropolis’s official tourism company says overseas vacationers are key to restoration.
“It’s often about 20% of quantity, however they symbolize 50% of spending, as a result of they have an inclination to remain longer and spend extra whereas they’re right here,” Chris Heywood, govt vice chairman of NYC & Firm, stated.
Accommodations within the metropolis have already began to see an inflow of vacationers. Rooms on the Hyatt Grand Central are virtually bought out.
“We’re seeing bookings, a majority coming in from the U.Okay., Spain, Italy, France, Canada,” Gaeta stated. “We’re persevering with to see that by means of not solely the vacation season, however going by means of q1 and q2 of subsequent yr.”
Airways are required to confirm vacationers’ vaccination information and match them with ID. In the event that they don’t match, they could possibly be fined.
CBS2’s personal Jenna DeAngelis joined some travelers making lengthy awaited journeys to the U.S. Search for her stories on CBS2 Information at 5 and 11 p.m.
