US to Lift COVID Related Travel Bans

The White House has announced today that the U.S. will lift the COVID-19 travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers from the United Kingdom and most European Union countries starting from early November. Along with the UK and the 26 Schengen countries, the easing of restrictions will also apply to Ireland, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and India. These travel bans were put in place approximately 18 months ago as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Under current policy, only US citizens, their immediate families, green card holders and those with national interest exemptions (NIE) can travel into the US if they have been in the UK, EU, or other banned countries in the previous two weeks.

Starting in November, international travelers will require proof of full vaccination before boarding a flight and a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure. They will not be required to quarantine upon arrival. Limited exceptions such as for children; COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants; and humanitarian exceptions for people traveling for an important reason and who lack access to vaccination in a timely manner will be available. Individuals who are exempted from the vaccine requirement may be required to be vaccinated upon arrival. The new rules do not yet apply to travelers crossing land borders with Mexico and Canada. The exact date that this new rule will be implement has not been set yet, it’s excepted that it will be around early November which will given sufficient time for airlines to prepare.