The United States announced that fully vaccinated travelers will be free to enter the country starting in early November, including visitors from countries that are currently on the suspended list. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. suspended the admission of visitors from China, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Schengen area, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and India. Other countries with similar suspensions have already eased their restrictions to fully vaccinated travelers.
Before traveling to the U.S., foreign nationals will be required to show proof of full vaccination and a negative Covid test taken within three days of departure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will release a list of accepted vaccinations before the rules take effect and will determine the definition of “fully vaccinated”. Airlines will also be required to collect information from travelers to assist with contact tracing. Full details have not yet been released, but few exemptions from the new travel rules are expected.
The new rules will also require unvaccinated Americans re-entering the U.S. to show proof of a negative Covid test taken within one day of travel and take an additional test upon return.
The effective date of these new rules has not been announced, but Frost Brown Todd’s Immigration practice group is monitoring the situation closely. If you have any questions relating to the new travel rules, please contact Alicia Visse-Kroger, or any other attorney in Frost Brown Todd’s Immigration practice group.