US plans to open up to vaccinated foreign travellers from November 8
- Move means those who have been jabbed can move around more freely than those who have not
- Passengers from overseas will also be expected to have a negative Covid-19 test, done 72 hours beforehand
Instead, under the new system, vaccinated people who have had a negative test in the prior 72 hours will be able to board a flight to the US as long as they share contact tracing information.
Unvaccinated foreigners will be generally barred from entry, while unvaccinated Americans will need a negative Covid-19 test.
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The move was first announced on September 20, but the Biden administration did not immediately say when the measures would kick in.
Airlines, battered by the coronavirus crisis, have applauded the move. Transatlantic flights between the US and Europe – filled with premium travellers – had been the single most profitable part of the global aviation market.
The November 8 date applies to a change in air travel rules, as well as an opening along land borders with Canada and Mexico announced earlier this week.
US will accept mixed vaccines for international travellers
The US will consider people arriving by plane vaccinated if they received shots that are either authorised by the Food and Drug Administration or have an Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization.
The same is likely to apply to those arriving by land, the official said.
The decision to accept WHO-cleared shots not used in the US means millions of travellers who have received doses developed by AstraZeneca, as well as China’s Sinopharm Group and Sinovac Biotech., will be allowed to enter.
