The Biden administration announced on Monday, September 20, that the current restrictions on travel to the United States from certain designated regions will be eased for fully vaccinated travelers in November. While an official announcement has yet to appear on the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites, multiple news outlets are reporting the announcement. According to the White House, the new, less restrictive rule will take effect in early November to allow time for airlines and U.S. government agencies to prepare for the changes. The rule will apply to all travelers to the United States instead of those only from the designated regions. 

Currently, foreign nationals who have been physically present in the Schengen area, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, Iran, India, or South Africa within the past 14 days before boarding a flight to the United States are not permitted to board unless they fall under one of the exclusions or exceptions outlined in President Biden’s January 25, 2021 proclamation. The continuation of the restrictions was most recently confirmed in July. 

According to the White House, fully vaccinated travelers will still be required to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 testing within 72 hours prior to their departure to the United States, and travelers who are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one day before their travel to the United States. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will also be required to undergo testing again after their arrival. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will specify the particular vaccines that will qualify under the new rule. 

The CDC will also issue a new order requiring airlines to collect contact information for travelers to the United States in order to allow for contact tracing. This order will likely apply to all travelers regardless of vaccination status. 

As of this time the published announcement has not been officially released by the White House, however Foster will continue to monitor developments in connection with all new and continuing COVID-19 related travel restrictions and policies under the new administration and will make future updates available on our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.