Right here’s the whole lot we all know to this point about what the brand new insurance policies will imply for vacationers:
Who can journey?
The insurance policies permit totally vaccinated international nationals to enter the US, changing a patchwork of bans and restrictions which were in place for the reason that begin of the pandemic.
Meaning international nationals arriving from international locations which were topic to bans — China, Iran, Europe’s Schengen space, the UK, the Republic of Eire, Brazil, South Africa and India — will quickly be allowed below the coverage that applies to all worldwide vacationers.
The vaccination requirement goes into impact November 8.
Which vaccines are accepted?
The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has confirmed that every one FDA permitted and licensed vaccines, in addition to vaccines which have an Emergency Use Itemizing (EUL) from the WHO shall be accepted for entry into the US.
Meaning the AstraZeneca vaccine, in use in locations together with Canada and Europe, shall be accepted. The Sputnik V vaccine developed in Russia has not been permitted by WHO or FDA.
What about unvaccinated Individuals?
Unvaccinated Individuals can nonetheless enter the US however will face extra stringent testing necessities for air journey.
They are going to be “topic to stricter testing necessities,” together with a take a look at inside at some point of their flight’s departure for the US and an extra take a look at once they return, Jeff Zients, the White Home Covid-19 response coordinator, stated when he introduced the brand new worldwide air journey guidelines on September 20.
The announcement about Mexico and Canada land borders on October 12 didn’t particularly handle unvaccinated Individuals, however the vaccination requirement is directed at “inbound international nationwide vacationers.”
What about unvaccinated kids?
Whereas little has been stated within the bulletins of the brand new worldwide journey system about kids, the Division of Homeland Safety advised CNN that the vaccination requirement won’t apply to kids who are usually not eligible.
Jen Psaki, White Home press secretary, indicated on September 20 that the extra stringent air journey guidelines outlined for unvaccinated Individuals “at this level, would clearly apply to kids as effectively.”
What about mixed-dose vaccinations?
The CDC on Friday up to date its definition of “totally vaccinated,” confirming that mixed-dose vaccinations shall be accepted.
Is testing required?
Totally vaccinated air vacationers are nonetheless required to check unfavorable for Covid-19 inside three days of their flight’s departure for the US, in keeping with the present testing rule.
As talked about above, unvaccinated Americans shall be required to take a Covid-19 take a look at inside considered one of day of their departing flight and once more after arrival.
There is no such thing as a testing requirement at land borders.
What sort of documentation is required?
Particulars about what shall be acceptable proof of vaccination are forthcoming, a White Home official stated Friday.
At land borders, vaccinated people crossing for nonessential causes ought to “be ready to attest to vaccination standing and to current proof of vaccination to a CBP (Customs and Border Safety) officer upon request,” the official stated.
One other senior administration official stated Tuesday that companies are working intently with the CDC on each land and air necessities and may have a call in “coming days as to what the right documentation appears like.”
Airways have already got programs in place to gather the testing info required of air vacationers as a result of all air vacationers getting into the US are already required to current a unfavorable take a look at outcome.
The White Home official stated that extra operational particulars associated to worldwide journey will come “effectively prematurely of November 8 to allow preparation for a easy transition to the brand new system.”
Who can not get into the US?
The brand new worldwide journey system largely bars unvaccinated international nationals from getting into the US.
Unvaccinated vacationers coming from international locations not affected by journey bans who presently are allowed to fly into the US (from Mexico and Canada, for instance) will not be allowed entry as of November 8.
A White Home official advised CNN additional steering on “very restricted exceptions” to the necessities shall be offered prematurely of the worldwide journey coverage’s begin.
At land borders, the vaccination requirement going into impact on November 8 applies to nonessential journey comparable to tourism and visits with family and friends.
People touring for important causes, together with truck drivers and college students, will nonetheless be allowed throughout borders till early January, whether or not they’re vaccinated or not.
In early January, a vaccination requirement will go into impact for all international nationals crossing the borders by land or ferry.
