The United States is easing coronavirus travel restrictions and reopening its borders to passengers from the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other countries.
Foreign visitors will be allowed to fly into the United States starting in November if they are completely vaccinated and submit to testing and contact tracing. Since early last year, the United States has imposed tight travel restrictions. The move satisfies a significant demand from European allies, allowing families and friends who have been separated due to the restrictions to rejoin.
“This is predicated on individuals rather than a country-based approach, so it’s a better system,” said White House Covid-19 co-ordinator Jeff Zients on Monday. In early 2020, the United States implemented restrictions on Chinese travellers, which were later extended to other countries. Most non-US citizens who have spent the previous 14 days in the UK, a number of other European nations, China, India, South Africa, Iran, or Brazil are currently barred from entering.
Foreign travellers will be required to show proof of immunisation before travelling, acquire a negative Covid-19 test result within three days of flight, and provide contact information under the new guidelines. They won’t have to quarantine anything. Officials said the new policy would have limited exceptions, such as for youngsters who are not eligible for vaccination.
Americans who are not completely vaccinated will be allowed to enter, but they will be screened before and after their return to the United States.
Mr. Zients stated that the policy would take effect in early November, but he did not specify a specific date.
Many people were surprised by the loosening of travel restrictions after the US government declared last week that now was not the time to release them.
