The United States has set out its requirements for fully vaccinated travelers to enter from other countries from November 8, 2021.
Along with providing proof of vaccination, non-citizens or non-permanent residents will also have to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure.
Restrictions have been tightened for non-vaccinated US citizens. From November 8, 2021, they will now have to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure for the United States.
Vaccines accepted by the United States include those approved or authorized by the FDA and World Health Organization emergency-use listed vaccines.
Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received their last dose.
In terms of the testing requirements, the United States is accepting both nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as a PCR test, and antigen tests.
The White House also clarified the rules for those traveling with children. Travelers under the age of 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals. This reflects the “ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated.”
Like adults, children between the ages of two and 17 will still have to take a pre-departure test. If they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, the test can be taken within three days of departure. If traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, the child must take a test within one day of departure.
Limited exemptions apply to the vaccine requirements, including those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and people who need to travel for emergency or humanitarian reasons.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also issuing a contact tracing order which requires all airlines flying into the US to provide the CDC, when needed, with contact information of inbound air travelers who are potentially infected or exposed to an infected person.
