US Reopen Borders For Fully Vaccinated Travelers From Today: Check New Guidelines Here

The United States is finally reopened its land and air borders to fully vaccinated travelers from today (Monday, 08th Nov 2021). The country has eases the COvid-19 lockdown and travel curbs after 20 almost months.

Fully vaccinated travelers from India, Britain, Ireland, China, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil along with 26 countries in Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Greece would be allowed to travel to the US.

This means the country has open for non-essential travel for everyone even for those who are traveling from the banned countries, as long as they are fully vaccinated and produce the proof of vaccination on their arrival at the US and would also need to submit a negative Covid-19 test.

It must be noted that the US is largely wide open from today, but some state and local restrictions will remain imposed.

Covid-19 Restrictions In United States

There are mask mandates in Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico also require masks in indoor public spaces.

Moreover, in some cities, like New York and San Francisco, there are vaccine requirements for indoor public spaces including restaurants.

Hawaii, which had some of the strictest entry requirements in the US, will now align with the new federal rules for international air travel. Although capacity restrictions in the state are easing, there are still some limits in place.

Covid-19 Vaccine Requirements

Getting vaccinated is one of the most important requirements for the majority of international travelers who wish to travel to the United States.

The health authorities of the United States have said all vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization would be accepted for entry by air.

The US has approved the following vaccine for travel;

• AstraZeneca
• Johnson & Johnson
• Moderna
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Covaxin
• Sinopharm and
• Sinovac vaccines

Guidelines For Traveling to United States

• Children under 18 years of age are exempted from the vaccination requirement. The CDC has the full slate of air travel requirements on its website
• All travelers must meet CDC criteria for being “fully vaccinated.” 
• Paper and digital documentation are acceptable. Airlines are responsible for gathering and verifying this information from air travelers
• Air travelers also need a negative COVID-19 test. Testing is required of all fully vaccinated air travelers, regardless of nationality. Passengers are required to test negative for COVID-19 within three days of their flight’s departure for the United States
• Unvaccinated Americans and a very limited number of unvaccinated international travelers who are exempted from the vaccination requirement must test within one day of departing for the US
• Many airlines have mobile apps and portals on their websites where vaccination and testing information can be processed digitally
• Customs and Border Protection anticipates an increase in travel volumes and wait times at land and ferry crossings and is encouraging travelers to have their identification and vaccination documents ready. The agency also encourages travelers to use its CBP One app
• Staffing levels will be at pre-Covid levels, according to CBP, but the agency will be balancing multiple priorities
• Digital and paper documentation is acceptable for proof of vaccination, and vaccine cards do not need to be in English
• Travelers should be prepared to attest to their vaccination status and reason for travel. They should also be prepared to show proof of being fully vaccinated if requested by a CBP officer
• Covid tests are not required at land and ferry crossings. The web of rules and requirements to travel internationally right now is undeniably tangled

Also Read: Planning To Travel US, Australia, Or Singapore? Check Out The Latest Guidelines For Indian Travelers