The US lifted its international travel ban Monday for the first time since March 2020, allowing foreigners from 33 nations as well as passengers from Canada and Mexico to cross the border. Travelers are required to show proof of vaccination and a recent negative coronavirus test taken within three days of travel. Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 are exempt from the requirement but must take a test within one day of travel. While unvaccinated travelers are temporarily allowed to travel to the US for "essential" trips, the vaccination requirement will extend to all inbound foreign travelers starting in early January. Canada reopened its borders to international travelers on Sept. 7, while Mexico has not imposed any travel restrictions and does not require proof of vaccination. Many nations across the globe have continued to increase their vaccination numbers, but many health officials remain concerned about the coronavirus as the holiday season approaches. Dr. Hans Kluge, the regional director of the World Health Organization in Europe, said Thursday that "Europe is back at the epicenter of the pandemic" despite ample access to vaccines.

Coverage was prominent across the spectrum. Most outlets featured intimate stories of foreigners reuniting with their families after being separated since the beginning of the pandemic. Left-rated outlets were more likely to put an emphasis on the surge of coronavirus cases in many European countries. Many right-rated outlets accentuated the migrant crisis at the southern border, which has seen authorities detain more than 1.7 million migrants in the 2021 fiscal year.