Schwann

God, tough audience.

So I can be slightly less ripped off by friends of Tory fly-by-night testing companies.

Silver Fox

We agree on that for sure. It's an utter con.

Hannibal Lecter

World Traveller Fuss

Has anyone had any success National Interest Exception (NIE waiver) for entry into the US?

Purpose is attending a conference.

sfozrhfco

Attending a conference unless you are a head of state is not going to cut it. Maybe try for an intensive COVID nursing class and volunteer to work in a COVID ward, become a pilot, or commit a crime against the US to gain entry through extradition. LOL.

PUCCI GALORE

You poor Lamb! I cried when Patch and Petra died.

As for the reopening - who knows - I really don't think that they care less.

Geordie405

I think it's as good a guess as any. Thanksgiving is arguably the biggest holiday here in the USA with travel to match. That said, I am not sure how much of this is about Americans being able to fly back to the US for the holidays. They've always been able to do so: US citizens and Green Card holders were exempt from the restrictions imposed by the Presidential Proclamations. However, the reply to Jon Sopel's Twitter post it suggests that the rules for US citizens etc. may well change so that anyone entering the US (including US citizens and Green Card holders) who has not been vaccinated is required to undergo testing, complete the equivalent of a PLF, agree to contact tracing etc. This would certainly tie in with the initial announcement stating that entry would be based on the individual, rather than countries or regions as a whole.

In terms of the whole discourse about the lack of a national vaccination database here in the US and the reliance on paper CDC cards there are definitely other options available. For example, my health insurance app has a "COVID Pass" which shows not only the paper copy of my CDC card but also confirms the dates of my vaccinations based on the insurance claims that were submitted by the pharmacy where I received my shots. Equally, my pharmacy app shows the same information, and the CLEAR app links to the pharmacy and synchronises with it.

The only real benefit to me to the US "reopening" is that I'll once again be able to fly direct to / from Las Vegas instead of having to trek to LAX / ORD / DFW etc.

Geordie405

But did you also cry when it was announced that Shep had died?

PUCCI GALORE

No. I had non-waterproof mascara on that day. I would have ended up looking like a panda

Hannibal Lecter

A CDC spokeswoman told Reuters Friday, “Six vaccines that are FDA authorized/approved or listed for emergency use by WHO will meet the criteria for travel to the U.S.”

Late on Friday, the CDC said that “earlier this week, to help them prepare their systems we informed airlines” of the vaccines that would be accepted and added
“CDC will release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized.”

The CDC must still finalize and publish new contract tracing rules for international visitors, which it sent to the White House for review on Sept. 15.

The CDC must also detail rules for exceptions, which include children not yet eligible for shots, as well as for visitors from countries where vaccines are not widely available. The administration must also decide whether to admit visitors part of COVID-19 clinical trials or have recently contracted COVID-19 and are not yet eligible for vaccination.
https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-...-idUSL1N2R42KH

layz

Why are they faffing about with vaccine requirements when they're letting most of the world in already? All we want is the US to treat us like the rest of the world.

Tobias-UK

This is what is going to happen, these requirements will apply to almost all foreign visitors to the USA, not just those who are currently subject to the Presidential Proclamation.

Okrib

I got approved for this recently. We went through a lawyer who specialises in this and other US visa applications.

Involved submitting significant amounts of paperwork and then waiting to hear back, it took about 6 weeks in total.

I don't think you'd get approval for just attending a conference unless it's related to a business you own in the US (or are planning to set up in the US). My business is launching in the US and I need to look at warehouse premises etc. We showed we had already set up our LLC and applied for a patent to support the application.

You have to show your presence is related to significant economic activity and benefit to the US economy (and people), and that travel at this point in time is required.

RockyRobin

The nearer we get to being allowed in the less I want to go judging by the crazy stuff coming out of the country. Such a shame; looks like Chicago is off a fourth time but at my request this time :-)

There were just so many cities to visit for 100k avoid on a 2-4-1 it was just too damn handy. Still there you go.

Thrifty Scotsman

What's the general opinion on here, once the US does eventually let us is, will it simply be a case of if you're fully vaccinated you'll get in, or do you think it'll be fully vaccinated & a pre departure test?