The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it is extending the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the US, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through September 13. TSA’s initial face mask requirement went into effect on February 1 and had been set to expire on May 11. “The federal mask requirement throughout the transportation system seeks to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation,” said Darby LaJoye, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator. “Right now, about half of all adults have at least one vaccination shot and masks remain an important tool in defeating this pandemic. We will continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the need for these directives and recognize the significant level of compliance thus far.” The CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated travelers with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the US; however, the CDC guidelines still require individuals to wear a face mask, socially distance, and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. The extension of the face mask requirement is consistent with this most recent CDC guidance.

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), which wholly owns Lawyers Travel, and is the world’s leading business partner for managed travel, has agreed to acquire Egencia, the managed corporate travel arm of Expedia Group. As part of the transaction, Expedia Group would become a shareholder in, and enter a long-term strategic commercial agreement with, GBT.

The proposed deal and completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. In the meantime, the acquisition has no impact on the relationship, servicing, and travel programs for Lawyers Travel's clients.

On April 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance for domestic travelers who have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine, and they don't need to test negative before or after their travels unless the destination requires it. States that still have travel restrictions may have exceptions for fully vaccinated travelers. Though some states continue to enforce travel restrictions and quarantines, in general more states have been moving toward looser travel restrictions or none at all in recent weeks. Even if some states have no restrictions on allowing leisure travel, all of their official websites have important COVID-19 safety information. For instance, some states still have mandates on face masks in public settings. Click "Read More" below for a comprehensive list of state-specific travel restrictions and safety mandates currently in place across the US as assembled by CNN.

European Union (EU) officials have proposed easing restrictions on visiting the 27-nation bloc as vaccination campaigns across the continent gather speed, reports USA Today. Travel to the EU is now extremely limited except for a handful of countries with low infection rates, but the European Commission hopes the new recommendations will help dramatically expand that list. “The Commission proposes to allow entry to the EU for nonessential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation, but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorized vaccine," the EU's executive arm said. EU officials believe the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns will soon be a turning point in the fight against the virus, especially within the bloc and the border-free Schengen zone. Its proposal will be discussed with member states' ambassadors this week, and the European Commission hopes it could enter into force by June. EU nations also could individually decide to accept travelers immunized with vaccines listed by the World Health Organization for emergency use.

A coalition of US and European travel, airline, union, business, and airport groups have called for fully reopening the US-UK air travel market "as soon as safely possible," reports Reuters. In a letter to President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the groups said the leaders' planned meeting in early June "would be an ideal opportunity for a joint announcement of the full reopening of the US-UK air travel market for both US and UK citizens." The US has prohibited nearly all non-US citizens who have recently been in the UK from the US since March 2020. "The return of Transatlantic flying would not only have a significantly positive impact on our respective economies but will also reunite those who have been separated from their loved ones for over a year," said the letter, signed by the US Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, Global Business Travel Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Virgin Atlantic, Association of UK Airlines, Aerospace Industries Association, and others. "Safely reopening borders between the US and UK is essential for both countries’ economic recovery from COVID-19."

The US has restricted travel from India, citing a rise in COVID-19 cases in the country and the emergence of COVID-19 variants, reports Travel Weekly. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden's administration made the determination on the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "The policy will be implemented in light of extraordinarily high COVID-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in India," she said. The US action comes days after Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the growing health crisis in his country and pledged to immediately send assistance. The US has already moved to send therapeutics, rapid virus test and oxygen to India, along with some materials needed for that country to boost its domestic production of COVID-19 vaccines. The White House waited on the CDC recommendation before moving to restrict travel, noting that the US already requires negative tests and quarantines for all international travelers. Other restrictions are in place on travel from Brazil, China, Iran, South Africa, the European Union, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK, which are or have been hotspots for COVID-19.