Restrictions easing in US and Europe amid disaster in India
EU officials propose easing restrictions on visitors
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Air travel in the U.S. hit its highest mark since COVID-19 took hold more than 13 months ago, while European Union officials are proposing to ease restrictions on visitors as the vaccine sends new cases and deaths tumbling in more affluent countries.
The improving picture in many places contrasts with the worsening disaster in India.
In the U.S., the average number of new cases per day fell below 50,000 for the first time since October. Nearly 1.67 million people were screened at U.S. airport checkpoints on Sunday, according to the TSA, the highest number since mid-March of last year.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation giving him sweeping powers to invalidate local emergency measures put in place during the outbreak. While the law doesn’t go into effect until July, the Republican governor said he will issue an executive order to get rid of local mask mandates.
“I think this creates a structure that’s going to be a little bit more respectful … of people’s businesses, jobs, schools and personal freedom,” he said.
Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised Saturday to 80% and person-to-person distancing dropped to 3 feet. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the city’s subways will begin running all night again and capacity restrictions on most businesses will end statewide in mid-May.
EU officials announced a proposal Monday to relax restrictions on travel to the 27-nation bloc this summer.
“Time to revive EU tourism industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle — safely,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.