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New regulations break down what both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers will require to enter the United States.
Beginning on November 8th, or specifically 11PM on November 7th, new regulations surrounding travel to the United States will be implemented.
Regulations brought in during the Trump administration ruled that any non-US Citizen must not have been in the UK, the Schengen Zone, China, Brazil, India, Ireland, and Iran in the 14 days prior to arrival. These rules are officially coming to an end.
Countries across Europe had been particularly critical in recent months, as many had relaxed or removed their own regulations on visitors from the United States. But the Biden Administration announced new measures, allowing for entry to the U.S. from dozens of countries, subject to new requirements.
The measures affect citizens and non-citizens alike, with differing regulations relating to each group, as well age.
The Following Vaccines Are Accepted For Entry To The US
Two doses of:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Covishield
- BIBP/Sinopharm
- Sinovac
One dose of
- Janssen/J&J
The following is required for entry to the United States of America
Vaccinated U.S. Citizens (including lawful permanent residents)
Before boarding any plane bound to the US, vaccinated citizens must show a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of travel. Antigen tests are fine.
A US citizen is defined as fully vaccinated if they have received the full dosage of an accepted vaccine, and allowed two weeks (14 days) before traveling.
If the citizen has recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, they may instead travel with proof of recovery. This must be in the form of a doctor’s note, or hospital record.
Children under the age of 2 are not required to take a COVID test.
It should be noted that differing airlines may have their own requirements as to the method of testing, as well as other regulations in place. These should be respected, but do not take the place of the US regulations.
Unvaccinated Citizens (including permanent residents)
Unvaccinated Citizens are required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before travel. Any test taken beyond this time may be denied. The test can be antigen type.
A US citizen is defined as unvaccinated if they have
- Received no doses of any accepted vaccine
- Received one dose of a two dose cycle vaccine
- Received both doses of an accepted vaccine less than two weeks before travel
- Have received a full or partial dose of a vaccine not accepted in the US
Travelers under the age of 2 will not be required to take a COVID-19 test.
Vaccinated non-US Citizens
Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 3 days before departure. Any more than this, and the traveler is subject to denial of entry.
Vaccinated non-US citizens are defined in the same manner as above, regarding a full vaccination at least 14 days prior to traveling.
Please note that proof must be shown of vaccination. Anyone non-vaccinated or otherwise vaccinated with a non-approved type of vaccine will be denied entry to the US without official proof.
Children Under 2 are not required to take a COVID-19 test.
Contact information will be required by the airline, to allow for swift contact in the event of exposure to COVID-19.
Unvaccinated non-US Citizens
The new rules stipulate that unvaccinated non-US citizens will be denied entry to the United States.
Unvaccinated non-US citizen are defined the same manner as above, meaning any traveler with no vaccine doses, an unaccepted vaccine, an incomplete vaccine cycle, or a full vaccine cycle less than 14 days before travel.
Importantly, travelers under the age of 18 will not be required to show proof of a full vaccine cycle, due to rulings in other countries surrounding the vaccination of children, If a child is traveling with a parent, they may adhere to the rules applicable to the parent.
If traveling alone, the child must the child must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, no more than one day before traveling.
There are very few exceptions to this rule. If a traveler meets the exceptions they are required to self-isolate for seven days and take a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after arrival. If the traveler is staying longer than 60 days, they must be vaccinated in the US. Exemptions are possible in this area.
To Summarize
Fully vacciniated citizens/residents = proof of vaccination + 3 day antigen test
Unvaccinated citizens/residents = 24-hour antigen test
Fully vacciniated forigners = proof of vaccination + 3 day antigen test
Unvaccinated forigners = no entry
General Requirements
As has now become airline industry standard, masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking, Social distancing should be respected.
Mask usage in the US is still strongly recommended. It is required in public transpiration hubs, and state laws regarding COVID-19 should be followed.
Please refer to the CDC and Government websites before traveling to the USA to ensure the most up-to-date information.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Dawn Thompson
Saturday 6th of November 2021
Great information and very well articulated.
Dennis G MahoodP
Saturday 6th of November 2021
Next the CDC will tell us you need the booster shot to be fully vaccinated.
Dee
Friday 5th of November 2021
Don’t come to our country if you don’t believe in science and don’t follow the rules. We already have 49% - 52% of the country that is anti-science, as well as 49 anti-science senators! Welcome to everyone else!
BB
Saturday 6th of November 2021
@Dee, it’s funny that you keep chirping about science considering the recent Lancet study that showed that vaccinated individuals spread the virus at the same rate and viral load as an unvaccinated individual. Also there are now 106 research studies that prove natural immunity is equal if not better than the vaccines. Also In the medical journal “Science” a new study showed vaccine efficiency dropping between 35% and 85%, according to a new study. So no, not everyone who doesn’t agree with you are as you’d say “Deep South uneducated anti-vaxers.” A lot of us are reading the medical literature and making informed decisions for ourselves.
Stephan
Friday 5th of November 2021
I am bound to the US on Nov 8 :-)