Newark, NJ: Cheers and tears in abundance were witnessed at Newark International Airport as the US lifted Covid restrictions and opened borders for international travelers from November 8. Emotions ran high as the anxious wait for many Indians to be reunited with their loved ones coming from India ended. The first flight from India arrived on November 8 after the restrictions were lifted.
There were parents running hurriedly to hug their children they had not seen in over two years, grandparents holding their grandkids tightly in arms and overjoyed fiancés with teary eyes seeing their loved ones emerging out of the exit gate of the airport.
Pandemic had prompted the US to close its borders for many countries including India which left many international passengers stranded. Though later only passengers holding visas of certain categories were permitted to travel.
But now the US has opened its borders for fully vaccinated international travelers and tourists as the country gradually moves ahead to a sense of normalcy. The move has brought immense joy for many families as they reunited with their loved ones.
“I booked the first flight on the first day,” Vipul Shah said as he emerged from the exit gate with his wife while his two daughters ran up to them. “I booked the flight on November 1 and then rebooked them for November 8. It was an anxious time for us till the night of November 7 when we were finally on the flight back to our daughters.”
Similar scenes were witnessed as many families reunited following more than two years of separation from one another due to the pandemic.
As the Air India flight from Delhi landed, Nirmat Kaur waited eagerly as she watched passengers gradually coming out of the airport doors after completing immigration formalities.
“Travel is opening up but we still need to be very careful. We want that border to stay open. That is why it is still important for everyone to follow Covid protocols such as masks and social distancing,” Brajendra Brar said. Brar had come to receive his pregnant niece and granddaughter.
Tears flowed as Meetal Sharam traveling from Ahmedabad on an Air India flight hugged her daughter and son-in-law waiting for her at the airport. “There are no words to describe my happiness. We have been waiting for this day since 2020,” she said.
“Opening up the international travel is a very important step,” Rahul Patel from New Jersey said as he waited to receive his parents flying from Ahmedabad on an Air India flight.
The US is allowing international travelers fully vaccinated with Covid vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, except Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Cansino. The unvaccinated travelers, whether US citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or the small number of accepted unvaccinated foreign nationals including minors are required to test within one day of departure.
Moreover, fully vaccinated and unvaccinated minor travelers continue to be required to show a pre-departure negative test taken within three days of travel to the US prior to the boarding.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandra N Mayorkas said in a statement that after 18-months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking critical steps towards resuming normal travel from November 8. “Travelers who are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and have appropriate documentation are now permitted to enter the US via our land and ferry border crossings for non-essential reasons such as visiting friends and family and engaging in tourism,” the DHS said in a press release.
Indian travellers begin to arrive in the US as flights touch down from Delhi and Mumbai
