Sep 15, 21, 1:47 pm
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
New thread for discussing 1-day test requirements for travellers arriving in the US by air
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel/2060730-us-require-air-travelers-provide-negative-test-within-1-day-departure.html
Entry ban from eight southern African countries starting on November 29, 2021
Most non-U.S. citizens who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique or Malaw within the prior 14 days will not be allowed into the United States.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/11/26/a-proclamation-on-suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of-transmitting-coronavirus-disease-2019/
Entry ban by air to be lifted on November 8, 2021 - All travelers should refer to CDC for travel requirements.
3 day pre-flight testing requirement will continue (US citizens/LPR not vaccinated will have to test no earlier than 1 day prior) Children under 2 years old do not need to test.
Children under 18 are exempt from vaccination requirement
Accepted vaccines will include:
There is a face mask mandate when flying to/from the USA, with effectively no exemptions, and including children two and above years old
Airlines need to provide some sort of contact tracing information for potential follow-up cases
Update on U.S. travel policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination
Last Updated: October 25, 2021
As announced by the White House today, the new travel policy requiring foreign nationals traveling to the United States to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will take effect November 8. The CDC’s website explains that, for purposes of entry into the United States, the accepted vaccines will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Last updated: October 25, 2021
The presidential proclamations described on this page will no longer be in effect on November 8, 2021. For additional information, please see Safely Resuming Travel by Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions on Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (travel.state.gov).
To protect the public health, there are four presidential proclamations that suspend entry into the United States of all noncitizens who were physically present in any of 33 countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. They are Presidential Proclamation 9984 (China); Presidential Proclamation 9992 (Iran); Presidential Proclamation 10143 (Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa); and Presidential Proclamation 10199 (India).
What we know so far is
- Confirmed to start on 8 November
- Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccine restrictions, so the varying international standards on jab ages won't be an issue here.
- Vaccines that are OK will include Pfizer, Moderna, AZ, J&J and the two Chinese vaccines.
- Some exemptions from vaccinations are potentially allowed, notably for US citizens, though my guess is airlines will be expecting to see vaccine certificates
- 3 day pre-flight testing requirement will continue, so this needs to be a documented antigen/Lateral Flow test or PCR.
- 3 days is potentially more than 72 hours, departure on a Friday afternoon means a test on Tuesday morning or thereafter.
- NHS Lateral Flows and PCRs can't be used.
- Children over 2 years old travelling with vaccinated travellers have to be tested on the same basis (3 days).
- 1 day testing for unvaccinated USA legal residents (testing on or the day before departure), including their children.
- All passengers need to sign an attestment to confirm their negative test result and also a statement to confirm full vaccination status.
- Children who are not vaccinated do not need to get vaccinated but do need to get a "viral test" 3 to 5 days after arrival in the USA
- As a result there is a separate attestion question for unvaccinated children to confirm that the viral test is arranged.
- Vaccination certificates must come from an official source. The NHS COVID Pass app and EU DCC are specifically mentioned as acceptable.
- Vaccination is counted as two weeks from dose2, or 2 weeks after the sole dose in the case of J&J.
- Antibody certification is not a replacement for the need for vaccination, at least for non USA residents.
- 14 clear days need to elapse before travel. So if jabbed on 1 October then 15 October is when you are good to go.
- Booster vaccinations are not a factor here, they don't count towards or against the primary dose process.
- There is a face mask mandate when flying to/from the USA, with effectively no exemptions, and including children two and above years old.
- Airlines need to provide some sort of contact tracing information for potential follow-up cases.
- These restrictions do not apply at the land border.
Note that a lot of interpretation onus falls on airlines. For example there is no language requirement for vaccine certificates as far as the CDC is concerned, however you can imagine Air France may be hesitant in accepting a vaccine certificate issued in the Welsh language, to take one example.
CDC link
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2...el-System.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel/2060730-us-require-air-travelers-provide-negative-test-within-1-day-departure.html
Entry ban from eight southern African countries starting on November 29, 2021
Most non-U.S. citizens who have been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique or Malaw within the prior 14 days will not be allowed into the United States.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/11/26/a-proclamation-on-suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of-transmitting-coronavirus-disease-2019/
Entry ban by air to be lifted on November 8, 2021 - All travelers should refer to CDC for travel requirements.
3 day pre-flight testing requirement will continue (US citizens/LPR not vaccinated will have to test no earlier than 1 day prior) Children under 2 years old do not need to test.
Children under 18 are exempt from vaccination requirement
Accepted vaccines will include:
- AstraZeneca
- BIBP/Sinopharm
- Covishield
- Janssen/J&J
- Moderna
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Sinovac
There is a face mask mandate when flying to/from the USA, with effectively no exemptions, and including children two and above years old
Airlines need to provide some sort of contact tracing information for potential follow-up cases
Update on U.S. travel policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination
Last Updated: October 25, 2021
As announced by the White House today, the new travel policy requiring foreign nationals traveling to the United States to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will take effect November 8. The CDC’s website explains that, for purposes of entry into the United States, the accepted vaccines will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Last updated: October 25, 2021
The presidential proclamations described on this page will no longer be in effect on November 8, 2021. For additional information, please see Safely Resuming Travel by Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions on Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (travel.state.gov).
To protect the public health, there are four presidential proclamations that suspend entry into the United States of all noncitizens who were physically present in any of 33 countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. They are Presidential Proclamation 9984 (China); Presidential Proclamation 9992 (Iran); Presidential Proclamation 10143 (Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa); and Presidential Proclamation 10199 (India).
What we know so far is
- Confirmed to start on 8 November
- Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccine restrictions, so the varying international standards on jab ages won't be an issue here.
- Vaccines that are OK will include Pfizer, Moderna, AZ, J&J and the two Chinese vaccines.
- Some exemptions from vaccinations are potentially allowed, notably for US citizens, though my guess is airlines will be expecting to see vaccine certificates
- 3 day pre-flight testing requirement will continue, so this needs to be a documented antigen/Lateral Flow test or PCR.
- 3 days is potentially more than 72 hours, departure on a Friday afternoon means a test on Tuesday morning or thereafter.
- NHS Lateral Flows and PCRs can't be used.
- Children over 2 years old travelling with vaccinated travellers have to be tested on the same basis (3 days).
- 1 day testing for unvaccinated USA legal residents (testing on or the day before departure), including their children.
- All passengers need to sign an attestment to confirm their negative test result and also a statement to confirm full vaccination status.
- Children who are not vaccinated do not need to get vaccinated but do need to get a "viral test" 3 to 5 days after arrival in the USA
- As a result there is a separate attestion question for unvaccinated children to confirm that the viral test is arranged.
- Vaccination certificates must come from an official source. The NHS COVID Pass app and EU DCC are specifically mentioned as acceptable.
- Vaccination is counted as two weeks from dose2, or 2 weeks after the sole dose in the case of J&J.
- Antibody certification is not a replacement for the need for vaccination, at least for non USA residents.
- 14 clear days need to elapse before travel. So if jabbed on 1 October then 15 October is when you are good to go.
- Booster vaccinations are not a factor here, they don't count towards or against the primary dose process.
- There is a face mask mandate when flying to/from the USA, with effectively no exemptions, and including children two and above years old.
- Airlines need to provide some sort of contact tracing information for potential follow-up cases.
- These restrictions do not apply at the land border.
Note that a lot of interpretation onus falls on airlines. For example there is no language requirement for vaccine certificates as far as the CDC is concerned, however you can imagine Air France may be hesitant in accepting a vaccine certificate issued in the Welsh language, to take one example.
CDC link
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2...el-System.html
US reopened on 8 November 2021 (& subsequent entry restrictions for non-citizens)
Jul 6, 21, 3:39 pm
#1531
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 722
It's hard to convey tone on these message boards, so please know I'm genuinely asking this as an open question, not a rhetorical one. Do you think that the Americans handling of this is different than say Australia or parts of SE Asia? I'm wondering if we're (I'm American) in a group of countries thinking in isolationist terms because of our geography, or do you think because we are unique from these other countries because of our relationship to Global Commerce, our pension for bellicosity--however you'd like to think of it? As someone who supported the ban initially, but really think that we are in a very different situation right now and should adjust accordingly, I'm wondering if we're dangling alone in our recalcitrance or if we're behaving like other nations?
Jul 6, 21, 4:15 pm
#1532
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, ANA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 220
The number of people I've spoken to recently who've expressed surprise at the situation when I tell them that my parents will, at best, have to spend two weeks in Mexico before coming to the US for my wedding in September suggests that the understanding really isn't widespread at all (particularly as Americans can fly more freely to Europe now, if not the UK, suggesting few restrictions remain to travel in general).
Jul 6, 21, 4:23 pm
#1533
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 50
Another article from daily mail popped up:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...avel-bans.html
Very extensive article worth reading. IATA also tweeted directly to POTUS. The pressure is there.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...avel-bans.html
We can't live in a bubble': Biden faces mounting pressure to lift 'nonsensical' COVID travel bans and reopen US to tourists as experts say it's too late to stop Delta variant
President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure to lift blanket COVID-19 travel bans and quickly reopen the US borders to international tourists given vaccination rates are increasing and Americans can now travel freely to Europe. Travel industry and public health experts are among those urging the Biden administration to restart international travel because bans like the ones currently in place are 'no longer appropriate' and are decimating the economy.
Jul 6, 21, 4:50 pm
#1534
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,591
Thus far, the data strongly suggests these vaccines are very effective at reducing both hospitalizations and fatalities even as cases, including Delta, are rising sharply. Assuming that trend continues, the Admin should make one final push to urge as many Americans as possible to get vaccinated. At some point, if remaining Americans refuse, it's time to move on. Some may feel their chances are better without the vaccine, and that's ok. We have enough data now for each person to make an informed decision.
Jul 6, 21, 6:03 pm
#1536
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midair
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 91
Aaaaaand... maybe in response to IATA tweets, EU ambassadors or who knows: The US administration has tossed out a small bone.
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
Last edited by Tiramisu; Jul 6, 21 at 6:06 pm Reason: Included text from the link to the State Department
Jul 6, 21, 7:01 pm
#1537
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LHR (Windy day) LCY (Calm Day)
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 346
Aaaaaand... maybe in response to IATA tweets, EU ambassadors or who knows: The US administration has tossed out a small bone.
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
Was just about to post this myself - a family member has just (today) had an NIE approved until July 6th, 2022 for multiple entries by the US Embassy in London. Interestingly, it's only valid for travel between the US and UK, but he's welcome to travel on to the Schengen Area from there so long as he connects back to the US via the UK. Not sure to take this as an indication that these restrictions will continue to linger, or instead that this loosening of restrictions for executive travel is merely a first step..
Jul 6, 21, 7:04 pm
#1538
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 690
Nobody cares about foreigners here.
I hold "the highest possible rank" employment visa (O1A -- extraordinary abilities), which means that the fact that I am qualified to do the job the American applicants cannot (and hence I am not competing at the "normal" job market) is certified by the Department of Labor -- I still cannot travel with it -- they request the stupid NIE every time and the embassies in Europe/UK are extremely unresponsive and slow. Moreover, I work for the US government -- even this does not help. I don't know -- maybe I should contact the lawyers at my workplace (we have a plenty of them in the DC office and they all do nothing most of the time) and sue the government?
I hold "the highest possible rank" employment visa (O1A -- extraordinary abilities), which means that the fact that I am qualified to do the job the American applicants cannot (and hence I am not competing at the "normal" job market) is certified by the Department of Labor -- I still cannot travel with it -- they request the stupid NIE every time and the embassies in Europe/UK are extremely unresponsive and slow. Moreover, I work for the US government -- even this does not help. I don't know -- maybe I should contact the lawyers at my workplace (we have a plenty of them in the DC office and they all do nothing most of the time) and sue the government?
i caught covid six months ago (in the US) and am vaccinated. If I wanted to vacation in Europe with one of my coworkers who are all anti vaxers, they would have no problems returning and I would be banned fir 14 days. Yes, that is the privilege of citizenship to be able to return to your own country (unless you happen to be Australian but that’s another story), but it still highlights that the ban makes no sense.
one thing I have noticed since moving to the US is that absolutely everything is political. Everything! No exceptions. If they removed the ban there would be a chorus of right wing media coverage saying that the administration is importing COVID into the country from foreigners. Most Americans don’t know about or care about this ban, and so the easiest thing for them to do is nothing, even though it is clearly sub-optimal from a public health perspective. America is a strange place indeed. And yes, I accept I am a hypocrite for still wanting to live there.
Jul 6, 21, 7:36 pm
#1539
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 12,129
Aaaaaand... maybe in response to IATA tweets, EU ambassadors or who knows: The US administration has tossed out a small bone.
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
NIEs will now be valid for 12 months for those traveling to the US from a range of countries, including Schengen.
”On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted.
This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...CdwEKum8Wjrmx0
Jul 6, 21, 7:45 pm
#1540
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 10,081
Psaki mentioned "working groups" with Europe when asked about resuming travel in the briefing today:
https://youtu.be/-xWe3RoX-4c?t=1667
Mark at 27:47
https://youtu.be/-xWe3RoX-4c?t=1667
Mark at 27:47
Jul 6, 21, 8:54 pm
#1541
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Jul 7, 21, 1:13 am
#1542
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 141
I am not normally in the habit of watching USA government press conferences, but seeing as I have (had) trips (as a tourist) booked to the USA for the months of July, August, September, November and January I thought I better watch in the hope there would be good news regarding an opening up to us Brit tourists. As already mentioned by another poster, no such good news was announced and the impression I got from the spokesperson (Ms Psaki) is that she certainly is “I never gave you the wrong answer, you just asked the wrong question” type of person.
The way things are going, I fully expect my first trip to the USA will not take place until Jan 22 at the earliest.
The way things are going, I fully expect my first trip to the USA will not take place until Jan 22 at the earliest.
Jul 7, 21, 10:17 am
#1543
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: OW Emerald / BAEC Gold
Posts: 414
You might be surprised. We had this dates estimation here for 100 pages. I personally still did not give up the hope I will board a plane to LAX this year.
Jul 7, 21, 10:44 am
#1544
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, ANA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 220
They're not nationally known names but we do now have some members of Congress publicly saying that travel restrictions should be lifted. I don't know why they specifically omit the Schengen countries from their request but it's good to see this kind of public pressure on the increase.
(The letter enclosed within the tweet shows all the signatories.)
(The letter enclosed within the tweet shows all the signatories.)
Last edited by merlin90; Jul 7, 21 at 2:01 pm
Jul 7, 21, 11:36 am
#1545
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 12,129
I'm posting this in case it's of any use to anyone. The US Embassy in London still refuses to entertain applications for NIE while the applicant is in the USA so it's simply not possible to request one until I'm in the UK. Then of course there's (a) no guarantee of getting one and (b) no timescale other than 'several weeks' for an application to be processed. I am considering trying it anyway as I have essential work to do in the UK. If I can get the timing to work out I will go to London, apply for an NIE and plan to travel back via another (accepted) country. If by some chance I receive the NIE I'll fly back direct. If I travel back indirectly there's a chance that at some point I'll receive the NIE which will be valid for a year. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
