Reports indicate that the U.S. will not ease travel restrictions 'at this time.'

Although many countries are welcoming vaccinated Americans, the U.S. will stay closed for the foreseeable future. According to Reuters, the U.S. has decided against lifting current travel bans due to concerns regarding the delta variant of the coronavirus.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki noted on July 26, as reported by Reuters, that rising cases, primarily among the unvaccinated, are expected to continue due to the delta variant.

Non-U.S. citizens from countries like China, Iran, the U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, India, and Schengen area nations are prohibited from entering the United States.

Recently, several countries have reopened or will soon open their borders to American travelers. Canada announced on July 19 that it would allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens to enter starting August 9. Meanwhile, the European Union has also opened its borders to vaccinated Americans. In contrast, the U.S. appears reluctant to reopen even land borders, recently extending the closure of the Canadian land border for nonessential travel until at least August 21.

The delta variant has become the predominant strain in the country, coinciding with stagnant vaccination rates. Currently, it constitutes 83% of cases in the U.S., which the CDC has described as a "dramatic" rise since the week of July 3.

This development occurs as the U.S. is reportedly considering changes to its mask guidance even for those who are vaccinated. Some regions in the U.S. have also reintroduced mask mandates or advised mask usage.

The travel sector, still recovering from the pandemic's impact, has responded vigorously to this news. Domestic travel has rebounded—now at pre-pandemic levels—with the TSA screening over 2 million passengers daily, yet international travel to the U.S. remains sluggish.

"While countries such as Canada, the U.K., and much of the E.U. have welcomed inbound travelers this summer and focused on revitalizing jobs and local economies, the United States remains closed off to a crucial segment of the travel market—the international inbound traveler," stated Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of the U.S. Travel Association.

"We earnestly urge the Biden administration to reconsider its decision soon and to initiate the reopening of international travel for vaccinated individuals, beginning with air travel corridors between the U.S. and countries with comparable vaccination rates," the statement emphasized.