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 / Modified oct 16, 2021 10:01 a.m.

U.S. will lift border travel restrictions on Nov. 8 for fully vaccinated visitors

Those traveling for essential reasons — including truck drivers, people crossing to go to school or work or for medical reasons — will have until January to become fully vaccinated. by Kendal Blust, Fronteras Desk

border deconcini cars Motorists wait to cross at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Sonora, in February 2019.
Murphy Woodhouse/Fronteras Desk

COVID-19 travel restrictions at the border will be lifted on Nov. 8 for fully vaccinated travelers, the White House announced Friday.

Since March 2020, the United States has enforced strict travel limits at its land borders with Mexico and Canada, only permitting so-called “essential travel,” and barring crossings for tourism, recreation, shopping or visiting loved ones. That’s taken a major toll on border communities.

Now, travelers who can show they are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine will be able to cross starting on Nov. 8. However, many people in Mexico have received vaccines that have not received authorization from the CDC or the World Health Organization, including Russia's Sputnik V and CanSino from China. Mexico's president has said he will push the WHO to authorize those vaccines quickly.

Those traveling for essential reasons — including truck drivers, people crossing to go to school or work or for medical reasons — will have until January to become fully vaccinated.

Fronteras Desk
Fronteras Desk is a KJZZ project covering important stories in an expanse stretching from Northern Arizona deep into northwestern Mexico.
MORE: Border, Coronavirus, News
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