Sep 15, 2021, 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)
May 23, 2021, 8:05 am
#331
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 722
The crazies in the US will start crowing about conspiracy theories and that the vaccination requirement for incoming travelers is the fist step for big government to impose on individual freedoms regarding vaccination... Also, if Biden starts putting vaccination requirements for EU/UK, it will look illogical compared to travelers from other countries...So the easiest thing for now is to do nothing and wait for a more comprehensive overhaul of the policies at the end of summer...
May 23, 2021, 8:07 am
#332
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 395
The thing which makes me most pessimistic about this ever being lifted is the fact that people on flyertalk seem to still be willing justify it. The idea that the closure of the effective closure of the transatlantic travel corridor is somehow merely a minor inconvenience but worth it on the basis of the precautionary principle is bemusing to me.
I personally still believe this is fundamentally unstainable and nonsensical, even more so as we all head in the right direction with vaccination. I've bought a significant amount of IAG stock which I expect to bounce on announcement of any lifting to put my money where my mouth is. You're all welcome to heckle me in 6 months when we're all still stuck in our houses and my investment has gone to 0.
I personally still believe this is fundamentally unstainable and nonsensical, even more so as we all head in the right direction with vaccination. I've bought a significant amount of IAG stock which I expect to bounce on announcement of any lifting to put my money where my mouth is. You're all welcome to heckle me in 6 months when we're all still stuck in our houses and my investment has gone to 0.
May 23, 2021, 8:15 am
#333
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 722
The thing which makes me most pessimistic about this ever being lifted is the fact that people on flyertalk seem to still be willing justify it. The idea that the closure of the effective closure of the transatlantic travel corridor is somehow merely a minor inconvenience but worth it on the basis of the precautionary principle is bemusing to me.
I personally still believe this is fundamentally unstainable and nonsensical, even more so as we all head in the right direction with vaccination. I've bought a significant amount of IAG stock which I expect to bounce on announcement of any lifting to put my money where my mouth is. You're all welcome to heckle me in 6 months when we're all still stuck in our houses and my investment has gone to 0.
I personally still believe this is fundamentally unstainable and nonsensical, even more so as we all head in the right direction with vaccination. I've bought a significant amount of IAG stock which I expect to bounce on announcement of any lifting to put my money where my mouth is. You're all welcome to heckle me in 6 months when we're all still stuck in our houses and my investment has gone to 0.
Again, when you have some countries with a higher case rate given no travel ban whilst those that have vaccinated heavily (much more than the USA per capita) remaining banned. That’s not right. Excuses about Republicans and anti vaccine people won’t and don’t wash. If the current government prioritised diplomacy and international relations they wouldn’t put their relationships with other countries beneath those people.
The longer this goes on, the less desire people will have to return to the USA for visits. People will reorientate their business or tourism to more welcoming countries and will see that they don’t need to visit the USA anymore. It’s a very disappointing series of events and not where countries should be heading in the 21st century.
Last edited by Owenc; May 23, 2021 at 8:26 am
May 23, 2021, 8:27 am
#334
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 73
I think this travel ban has exposed the reality that a sizeable chunk of Americans and American politicians are not comfortable with foreigners visiting their country.
Again, when you have some countries with a higher case rate given no travel ban whilst those that have vaccinated heavily (much more than the USA per capita) remaining banned. That’s not right. Excuses about Republicans and anti vaccine people won’t and don’t wash. If the current government prioritised diplomacy and international relations they wouldn’t put their relationships with other countries beneath those people.
The longer this goes on, the less desire people will have to return to the USA for visits. People will reorientate their business or tourism to more welcoming countries and will see that they don’t need to visit the USA anymore. It’s a very disappointing series of events and not where countries should be heading in the 21st century.
Again, when you have some countries with a higher case rate given no travel ban whilst those that have vaccinated heavily (much more than the USA per capita) remaining banned. That’s not right. Excuses about Republicans and anti vaccine people won’t and don’t wash. If the current government prioritised diplomacy and international relations they wouldn’t put their relationships with other countries beneath those people.
The longer this goes on, the less desire people will have to return to the USA for visits. People will reorientate their business or tourism to more welcoming countries and will see that they don’t need to visit the USA anymore. It’s a very disappointing series of events and not where countries should be heading in the 21st century.
May 23, 2021, 8:33 am
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
The ban will be lifted when Europe goes green, it does not make sense to lift it when most of the continent is still Amber or Red…
May 23, 2021, 8:36 am
#336
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 73
It's clearly an issue from the US end. I did see the French consulate in San Francisco say it's only fair for reciprocity. It really is quite ridiculous. If Italy is allowing quarantine free flights in from USA, why could that not be rolled out elsewhere? Rapid Flow whilst waiting in line at Immigration at Miami International seems like a great way to pass the time lol
May 23, 2021, 10:58 am
#337
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
Open to unvaccinated mexicans, colombians
Etc etc....banned to vaccinated and low risk UK.
Etc etc....banned to vaccinated and low risk UK.
Mexican and Colombian citizens need a visa to enter the US. The US government can just slow down the visa issueance process.
That's not so easy to do for citizens of a Visa Waiver Programme citizen (e.g. UK).
May 23, 2021, 11:22 am
#338
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 73
The US Position on this is just laughable though. There is nothing stopping them modifying the proclamation and allowing those with proof of vaccination and/or proof of Negative PCR Test from Europe and UK (Based on Vaccine/test rates). I really cant understand the position.
May 23, 2021, 11:22 am
#339
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Milan, Italy
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 271
I know I know. But at present, a ban on vaccinated people is crazy. There is no justification of Esta or visa that holds.
May 23, 2021, 11:22 am
#340
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,033
You should all keep in mind when mentioning why the US hasn’t imposed a ban on flights originating from several non-Western European countries or through them that most citizens of the countries mentioned need a visa to enter the US. Not only that, for the longest time, new US tourist visa issuance was suspended in many of these countries, and while the tourist visa process has resumed, in many countries the wait time to get a tourist visa appointment can last for months now. So passport privilege has to be factored in when discussing this matter.
Of course, there are loopholes, as has been mentioned, for example, where Europeans could go to Mexico for two weeks then enter the US but realistically, not a great number of people are willing or able to do that. That and the number of valid visa-holders from the countries mentioned likely still pale in comparison to the tons of Europeans on the VWP who can (normally) just book a ticket and leave without as much calculation.
I’d wager most of you have never had to get a US tourist visa (or any other prearranged tourist visa) for most of the world, so I’m not surprised that this would elude some of you.
This isn’t to suggest that keeping the current ban makes a ton of sense, and my own family was harmed a bit financially because of their inability to transit through Europe, but I’m specifically talking about mentioning specifically named countries whose citizens aren’t able to enter the US easily in the first place, even under normal conditions and equating them with VWP countries. Let alone current COVID-related visa appointment suspensions and delays.
Of course, there are loopholes, as has been mentioned, for example, where Europeans could go to Mexico for two weeks then enter the US but realistically, not a great number of people are willing or able to do that. That and the number of valid visa-holders from the countries mentioned likely still pale in comparison to the tons of Europeans on the VWP who can (normally) just book a ticket and leave without as much calculation.
I’d wager most of you have never had to get a US tourist visa (or any other prearranged tourist visa) for most of the world, so I’m not surprised that this would elude some of you.
This isn’t to suggest that keeping the current ban makes a ton of sense, and my own family was harmed a bit financially because of their inability to transit through Europe, but I’m specifically talking about mentioning specifically named countries whose citizens aren’t able to enter the US easily in the first place, even under normal conditions and equating them with VWP countries. Let alone current COVID-related visa appointment suspensions and delays.
Last edited by Nayef; May 23, 2021 at 11:48 am Reason: grammar spelling general clean-up
May 23, 2021, 11:26 am
#341
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 73
You should all keep in mind when mentioning why the US hasn’t imposed a ban on flights originating from several non-Western European countries or through them, most citizens of the countries mentioned require a visa to enter the US. Not only that, for the longest time, new US tourist visa issuance was suspended in many of these countries, and the tourist visa process has resumed, but in many countries the wait time to get a tourist visa appointment can last for months. So passport privilege has to be factored in when weighing this matter.
Of course there are loopholes, as has been mentioned, for example, where Europeans could go to Mexico for two weeks then enter the US but realistically, not a great number of people are willing or able to do that. It, and the number of valid visa-holders from the countries mentioned, likely still pale in comparison to the tons of Europeans on the VWP who can (normally) just book a ticket and leave without as much calculation.
I’d wager most of you have never had to get a US tourist visa (or any other prearranged tourist visa) for most of the world, so I’m not surprised that this would elude some of you.
This isn’t to suggest that keeping the current ban makes a ton of sense, and my own family was harmed a bit financially because of their inability to transit through Europe, but I’m specifically talking about mentioning specifically named countries who whose citizens aren’t able to enter the US easily in the first place even under normal conditions and equating them with VWP countries. Let alone current COVID-related visa appointment suspensions and delays.
Of course there are loopholes, as has been mentioned, for example, where Europeans could go to Mexico for two weeks then enter the US but realistically, not a great number of people are willing or able to do that. It, and the number of valid visa-holders from the countries mentioned, likely still pale in comparison to the tons of Europeans on the VWP who can (normally) just book a ticket and leave without as much calculation.
I’d wager most of you have never had to get a US tourist visa (or any other prearranged tourist visa) for most of the world, so I’m not surprised that this would elude some of you.
This isn’t to suggest that keeping the current ban makes a ton of sense, and my own family was harmed a bit financially because of their inability to transit through Europe, but I’m specifically talking about mentioning specifically named countries who whose citizens aren’t able to enter the US easily in the first place even under normal conditions and equating them with VWP countries. Let alone current COVID-related visa appointment suspensions and delays.
May 23, 2021, 11:52 am
#342
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,033
I do understand what you are saying but with most airlines cancelling flights anyway, it's hardly going to be rush for the first few weeks. People would just like a date of restart like every other EU Country (And EU Wide Scheme) or the UK providing a roadmap. US nothing.
May 23, 2021, 11:54 am
#343
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 73
From what I've seen in the news lately, I wouldn't be surprised if the US opens within the next month or two. Nothing is set in stone, obviously, and I know there's cause for alarm given the lack of updates and some of the changes in Europe (such as Germany with a travel ban on some travel from the UK), but my pure gut instinct tells me this won't hinder possibly opening up soon (and I really hope my gut instinct is right lol).
May 23, 2021, 2:22 pm
#344
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
Because the US cannot require only vaccinated travelers to enter the US, due to the stupid domestic politics and their inability to require vaccinations domestically for political reasons, they won't open up yet to foreign travelers until a higher percentage of UK/EU populations get vaccinated. It will be safer that way. So, hopefully, the ban stays in place for at least the summer, and the rest of us can fly half empty TATL planes and find saver award tickets until then...
May 23, 2021, 2:27 pm
#345
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Actually, it can require vaccines or "proof of immunity", a recent positive antibody test. It cannot require its citizens to get the vaccine but it can certainly define what privileges can accrue to those that have been vaccinated. . The cruises departing from US ports this summer are requiring vaccines from both passengers and crew.