New Travel Restrictions
Soon the United States will open its new travel system to international travelers who have been vaccinated.
The travel ban that has been in place for many countries since the coronavirus outbreak will be lifted by the new system, which will be implemented on November 8. It will still make it more difficult to reenter the country for permanent residents and Americans not yet vaccinated.
According to the White House, anyone traveling to the United States that cannot show documentation of full vaccination will be required to show proof of a negative test within one day of departure. Currently, it is three days.
Americans who have been fully vaccinated are still subject to Covid-19 testing within a three-day period. They will need to present a certificate of vaccination, or if unable to do so, show proof of a negative test.
Senior administration officials stated Monday that these safety protocols follow the science of public health in order to increase the safety of Americans at home as well as in international air travel.
Except for rare exceptions, foreign visitors must be inoculated with a vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization in order to board flights to America.
Exemptions
Senior officials at the White House pointed out that foreigners will receive very few exemptions to vaccine requirements. According to them, exceptions would include children under 18 years of age and those from countries where the vaccines are not available to more than 90% of the population. The White House estimates that 50 countries currently fall under this category. However, the list is constantly changing.
Those who are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons or who have suffered severe side effects from the vaccine will be exempt from the vaccine requirements. Additionally, children under the age of two years will not need to be tested for Covid-19.
Officials say that testing accommodations will be available for those with recovery certificates who have recovered from the virus in the last 90 days.
Who May Visit the United States
If they are able to present a negative Covid-19 predeparture test within three days of boarding the plane, foreigners who have been fully vaccinated can fly to the US starting November 8th.
For the purposes of contact tracing, the airlines will need to collect personal data from all passengers flying to the US. The airlines must have the information available for at least 30 days to allow health officials to follow up on travelers who may have been exposed to a person with Covid-19. There will also be mask mandates, but no quarantine.
Those who have visited any of the countries or regions listed below in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the US:
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Iran
- South Africa
- Republic of Ireland
- United Kingdom
- The European Schengen Region: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City
From November 8th on, those traveling from these countries will have to meet stricter entry requirements. The US wants international passengers flying to America to be tested within three days after their arrival and to present a positive Covid-19 test or recovery certificate prior to boarding.
Rules For Canadians and Mexicans
Foreigners who travel from Canada or Mexico by land or sea will also be affected by the new system of travel. Starting November 8th, fully vaccinated foreigners may enter the United States through land borders for non-essential reasons.
In January, the entry requirements at the border will be changed. Everyone, even those who are traveling for an essential reason, will have to show proof of their full vaccination.
