KEY POINTS
  • The relaxation of restrictions would involve travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders and on inbound travel from the U.K., Europe and Brazil, two sources told CNBC.
  • While there has not been a policy memo or formal codification of the time frame, the discussion has focused on trying to limit the spread of variants domestically as localities make their own decisions on how quickly to reopen.
  • In the meantime, officials have suggested President Biden and his Covid task force need more time to feel comfortable with reopening borders and increasing the level of air traffic from overseas. 

The Biden administration is looking toward the middle of May to relax restrictions on travel across the borders with Mexico and Canada and on inbound international travel from the U.K., Europe and Brazil, according to two sources familiar with the matter. 

While there has not been a policy memo or formal codification of that time frame, the discussion has focused on trying to limit the spread of variants domestically as localities make their own decisions on how quickly to reopen. In the meantime, officials have suggested President Joe Biden and his Covid task force need more time to feel comfortable with reopening borders and increasing the level of air traffic from overseas.