According to the American Overseas Chinese Daily, on November 8, the United States will launch new rules for entry. This will end the travel ban imposed on dozens of countries since the outbreak. The new rules apply to both international flights and land ports of entry. It will also increase requirements for unvaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents to re-enter the country. So, which countries does the new regulation cover? What are the specific requirements for non-citizens/citizens?
According to USA Today, the White House said that "for citizens and non-citizens who cannot prove that they have been fully vaccinated and travel to the United States, they must show a negative nucleic acid certificate within X days before departure", which will be changed from the current three days before departure to 24 hours a day.
Fully vaccinated citizens/non-citizens are required to have a negative nucleic acid certificate in addition to the vaccine certificate, and they still have a three-day test window, but if they cannot produce the vaccination certificate, they will also be subject to a one-day nucleic acid test.
In a briefing on Monday (25th), White House officials said: "These are strict safety protocols that follow the science of public health and are designed to improve the safety of Americans at home and on international travel." ”
With a few exceptions, vaccines given by non-citizens must be approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use before they can enter the country.
What are the exceptions?
White House officials stressed that exceptions to vaccine requirements for non-citizen travelers are rare, but exceptions will be made for children under the age of 18 and travelers from countries with vaccination rates below 10 percent (due to lack of vaccine supplies). The White House said it currently affects about 50 countries, but the list is constantly changing.
People with certain diseases, including those with severe allergic reactions to vaccines, will also be exempt from vaccination requirements.
Children under 2 years of age do not need to be tested.
In addition, citizens/non-citizens who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may bypass testing," but instead travel with documents recovering from COVID-19 (i.e., you test positive for the virus in samples taken no more than 90 days before your flight) and a letter from a licensed medical institution, doctor, or public health official stating that you are authorized to travel." CDC said.
Who can enter the United States?
Starting November 8, citizens/non-citizens can enter the U.S. by plane if they can present proof of full vaccination and a negative nucleic acid test taken three days before boarding.
Airlines will collect personal information from all passengers traveling to the United States for close tracking purposes. Airlines must keep this information for 30 days for reference by health officials.
Masks are required upon disembarking, but isolation is not mandatory.
This new entry rule will make it possible for travelers from 36 countries to enter the United States, including:
· China
India
Iran
Brazil
South Africa
United Kingdom
· Republic of Ireland
European Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.
Travelers from countries not previously listed in the ban will face stricter entry requirements from November 8.
What about entering from Mexico and Canada?
The new entry rules will also take effect for non-citizens arriving by land or passenger ferry from Mexico and Canada.
Starting 8 November, fully vaccinated non-citizens can enter through land crossings for non-essential reasons such as travel or visiting family and friends.
In addition, entry requirements at land crossings will change again in early January next year, when all travelers, including those traveling for the necessary purposes, will need to show proof of full vaccination.
These rules apply to travelers. There are different requirements for people entering the United States as immigrants. According to the CDC, "People applying to enter the U.S. as immigrants (with exceptions) must undergo a medical examination before obtaining an immigrant visa, which includes vaccination requirements." ”
Source: China News Network