July 01, 2020

Homeland Security to Reopen Travelers' Global Entry Enrollment Centers July 6, With COVID-19 Changes

The Global Entry program, which has been shut down since March 19 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will open enrollment centers again starting July 6, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency under Homeland Security announced Friday.

The popular program enables international travelers to re-enter the United States on an expedited basis. But enrollment centers have been closed due to COVID-19 since March. It costs $100 to join and meets the Real ID requirements for domestic air travel imposed by Congress after 9/11.

Beginning July 6, conditionally approved applicants for Global Entry applicants will be able to complete in-person interviews, scheduled in advance, at Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers, according to a Customs and Border Patrol release.

There will be changes amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Both enrollment center personnel and applicants will be required to wear protective masks at all times. Sign-in sheets and other touch points have been eliminated, seating has been reduced in the waiting area along with other social distancing measures. Protective plexiglass barriers have been placed at the service counter.

Part of the Trusted Traveler Program, all applicants will still be required to submit fingerprints during their interview to complete the enrollment process, which requires contact with a frequently touched area. The agency has vowed to increase the cleaning frequency of the fingerprint surfaces in the enrollment centers.

Residents of New York state still aren't eligible, though. The Department of Homeland Security announced in February that New Yorkers will not be allowed to sign up for Global Entry and other programs that allow vetted, low-risk travelers to more easily enter the U.S. or cross its borders.

Copyright 2020 Gannett. All rights reserved. From https://usatoday.com. By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY.

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