[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 244 (Thursday, December 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72843-72844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28064]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Chapter I


Notification of the Lifting of Temporary Travel Restrictions 
Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the 
United States and Mexico for Certain Individuals Who Are Fully 
Vaccinated Against COVID-19 and Can Present Proof of COVID-19 
Vaccination Status

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notification of the lifting of temporary travel restrictions 
for certain travelers.

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SUMMARY: This Notification announces the decision of the Secretary of 
Homeland Security (Secretary) to lift the temporary restrictions that 
apply to non-essential travel by certain individuals. Specifically, the 
Secretary has lifted such restrictions for individuals who have been 
fully vaccinated against COVID-19, can present proof of COVID-19 
vaccination status, and are seeking to enter the United States via land 
ports of entry (POEs) and ferry terminals along the U.S.-Mexico border. 
The lifting of restrictions for such fully vaccinated individuals does 
not affect U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to 
the United States, regardless of whether the individual is fully 
vaccinated, because such travel is currently defined as essential 
travel.

DATES: The lifting of these restrictions began at 12 a.m. Eastern 
Standard Time (EST) on November 8, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Watson, Office of Field 
Operations Coronavirus Coordination Cell, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) at 202-325-0840.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice of Action

    On October 21, 2021, the Secretary announced his decision to 
continue to temporarily restrict the non-essential travel of 
individuals from Mexico into the United States via land POEs and ferry 
terminals along the United States-Mexico border.\1\ The Secretary 
further announced that he intended to lift these restrictions for 
individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have 
appropriate proof of vaccination to align with changes to international 
travel by air.\2\ The Secretary stated that any such modifications to 
the restrictions would be accomplished via a posting to the DHS website 
(https://www.dhs.gov) and followed by a publication in the Federal 
Register.\3\
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    \1\ 86 FR 58216.
    \2\ Id.
    \3\ Id. at 58218.
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    On October 29, 2021, DHS posted to its website an announcement that 
beginning November 8, 2021, non-essential travel would be permitted 
through land POEs and ferry terminals, provided that the traveler is 
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and can present proof of COVID-19 
vaccination status. DHS stated that unvaccinated travelers may continue 
to cross the U.S.-Mexico border at land POEs and ferry terminals for 
essential travel, including lawful trade, emergency response, and 
public health purposes.\4\ Thus, starting November 8, 2021, when 
arriving at a U.S. land POE or ferry terminal, travelers who are 
traveling for a non-essential reason should be prepared to: (1) Present 
proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website; \5\ and 
(2) verbally attest to the reason for their travel and COVID-19 
vaccination status. The lifting of restrictions for fully vaccinated 
individuals does not affect U.S. citizens and lawful permanent 
residents

[[Page 72844]]

returning to the United States, regardless of whether the individual is 
fully vaccinated, because such travel is currently defined as essential 
travel.
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    \4\ See DHS, Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the 
U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-travelers-enter-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals (released Oct. 29, 2021; last 
updated Nov. 23, 2021); see also DHS, Frequently Asked Questions: 
Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and 
Ferry Terminals, https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/frequently-asked-questions-guidance-travelers-enter-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry (released Oct. 29, 2021; last updated Nov. 23, 2021).
    \5\ See CDC, Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for 
Air Passengers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html (updated Nov. 24, 2021).
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    Consistent with the October 21, 2021 Federal Register notice and 
the October 29, 2021 web posting, DHS is publishing this notice of the 
lifting of the non-essential travel restrictions for certain 
individuals as described above.

Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2021-28064 Filed 12-21-21; 4:15 pm]
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