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 3, 21, 1:06 pm
#1441
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Originally Posted by Owenc
Ok then, if you want to follow their advice and you believe that the travel ban is not politically motivated. Do recommend that they close foreign travel to all countries.
Think it bolsters Biden's favorability ratings with Americans?
Certainly there are Americans who'd be for banning ethnically different groups, like Asians, Arabs and Blacks. But those are not a majority of Americans.
Most Americans are probably indifferent when it comes to the question of banning Europeans.
Jul 3, 21, 2:45 pm
#1442
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,356
Originally Posted by Tiramisu
Well, yes, they’re letting the medical side run the show and since their mandate is to minimize risks we will never move forward. The focus yesterday was on the delta-variant, which they see as taking over shortly. The concern was the 1,000 or so counties with low vaccination rates. The admin is going to establish special teams to deploy in these counties, with TV-adverts and mobile vaccination stations etc to get vaccination rates up. This seems like a reasonable activity if you’re the scientist with only medical metrics to meet.
From a greater perspective though, which you’d think that the Administration would take, the US has met the most important goals: vaccinating the elderly and risk groups and keeping hospitalizations and deaths down. Given this, and the suspicion that the 1,000 counties with low vaccination rates aren’t exactly tourist magnets, it would seem reasonable to open the borders gradually. Even Fauci made remarks that the country needs to be able to handle different situations differently: we can have 4th of July fireworks for thousands in DC while making strict recommendations for the unvaccinated counties; and CA may have its local mask mandate for vaccinated people even if this country as a whole doesn’t. So, by that logic - and science- we could open up while still deploying vaccination swat teams to rural West Virginia. I’m not sure which other government agency we need to step into these discussions but the perspective needs to move beyond “ 25 positive cases in county x” to something more like “If we don’t open up, German corporations will close their US subsidiaries”.
From a greater perspective though, which you’d think that the Administration would take, the US has met the most important goals: vaccinating the elderly and risk groups and keeping hospitalizations and deaths down. Given this, and the suspicion that the 1,000 counties with low vaccination rates aren’t exactly tourist magnets, it would seem reasonable to open the borders gradually. Even Fauci made remarks that the country needs to be able to handle different situations differently: we can have 4th of July fireworks for thousands in DC while making strict recommendations for the unvaccinated counties; and CA may have its local mask mandate for vaccinated people even if this country as a whole doesn’t. So, by that logic - and science- we could open up while still deploying vaccination swat teams to rural West Virginia. I’m not sure which other government agency we need to step into these discussions but the perspective needs to move beyond “ 25 positive cases in county x” to something more like “If we don’t open up, German corporations will close their US subsidiaries”.
Once we hit the 70% fully vaccinated 18+ demographic, we should fully reopen our borders. At this point, it’s both unrealistic and unnecessary to have a high degree of vaccine penetration in the under 18+ demographic. With the vulnerable protected--they have been for quite some time now--and, thus far, with the vaccines appearing effective at keeping hospitalization rates and fatalities under control, I see very little reason to continue with restrictions.
While it makes sense to surgically address pockets of low vaccine penetration, we can, as per the adage, walk and chew gum at the same time, and gradually unwind restrictions. While this view is most certainly unpopular, I even favor lifting vaccination and testing requirements once we’ve reached our objective of 70% in the 18+ demographic fully vaccinated--with herd immunity reached, continuing restrictions & testing regimes appear unproductive and needlessly inhibitive.
Jul 3, 21, 8:24 pm
#1444
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 44
Just read an article from the Greek-American news website "National Herald". Quoting google translation:
source: https://www.ekirikas.com/omogeneia_a...s_e_e-2809236/
Calls to the White House to open borders to EU citizens
NEW YORK. Pressure is mounting from all directions to the White House to ease restrictions on European Union arrivals in the United States, which remain in place despite the fact that Americans can now travel across the Atlantic.
Although the expectation that the basic measures would be lifted before the start of the summer season had already been cultivated since May, the Biden administration does not give specific answers, implying that there is still nothing to announce.
The stagnation observed in the issue has caused irritation to tourism operators and in particular to the airlines, with the consortium "Air France" - "KLM" appealing to the White House to provide an immediate solution to the issue.
In particular, according to the New York Times, the company's executive director, Benjamin Smith, expressed the view that the US should immediately reciprocate the opening of the borders by the EU.
"We look forward to hearing from you. "The transatlantic market is the most important for us," said Smith.
In this constant demand, airlines have companions and institutions in the US, such as the US Chamber of Commerce, which last week stressed that key restrictions should be lifted.
"Such a move would help economic growth, but also create jobs across the country," the Chamber said, focusing not only on tourists but also on European citizens who want to travel to the United States for business or business. they can not do so due to restrictions.
European diplomats are unhappy
In addition to businesses and professionals, resentment is rampant in the ranks of EU diplomats, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.
In their statements, European officials do not hide their disappointment that the United States is obstructing the decisions, not reciprocating the lifting of the restrictions decided in time by the Schengen countries.
As it is emphasized, a common component of their views is that "the restrictions are based on the pandemic regime that was in force a year ago", reiterating that "we raise the issue in every high-level meeting".
The statements of the EU ambassador are typical. in the USA, Stavros Labrianidis, who told the "WSJ" that the borders on the other side would not have been opened if American travelers were not safe.
"Both regions, America and Europe, are fundamentally built on the concept of freedom of movement. "Covid disturbed that," he said, among other things.
The French ambassador to the United States, Philippe Etienne, followed suit, expressing hope that the United States would soon open up to European citizens, especially given the plight of Europeans living in permanently in the USA ".
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the White House was discussing lifting the measures, without giving a specific timetable.
NEW YORK. Pressure is mounting from all directions to the White House to ease restrictions on European Union arrivals in the United States, which remain in place despite the fact that Americans can now travel across the Atlantic.
Although the expectation that the basic measures would be lifted before the start of the summer season had already been cultivated since May, the Biden administration does not give specific answers, implying that there is still nothing to announce.
The stagnation observed in the issue has caused irritation to tourism operators and in particular to the airlines, with the consortium "Air France" - "KLM" appealing to the White House to provide an immediate solution to the issue.
In particular, according to the New York Times, the company's executive director, Benjamin Smith, expressed the view that the US should immediately reciprocate the opening of the borders by the EU.
"We look forward to hearing from you. "The transatlantic market is the most important for us," said Smith.
In this constant demand, airlines have companions and institutions in the US, such as the US Chamber of Commerce, which last week stressed that key restrictions should be lifted.
"Such a move would help economic growth, but also create jobs across the country," the Chamber said, focusing not only on tourists but also on European citizens who want to travel to the United States for business or business. they can not do so due to restrictions.
European diplomats are unhappy
In addition to businesses and professionals, resentment is rampant in the ranks of EU diplomats, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.
In their statements, European officials do not hide their disappointment that the United States is obstructing the decisions, not reciprocating the lifting of the restrictions decided in time by the Schengen countries.
As it is emphasized, a common component of their views is that "the restrictions are based on the pandemic regime that was in force a year ago", reiterating that "we raise the issue in every high-level meeting".
The statements of the EU ambassador are typical. in the USA, Stavros Labrianidis, who told the "WSJ" that the borders on the other side would not have been opened if American travelers were not safe.
"Both regions, America and Europe, are fundamentally built on the concept of freedom of movement. "Covid disturbed that," he said, among other things.
The French ambassador to the United States, Philippe Etienne, followed suit, expressing hope that the United States would soon open up to European citizens, especially given the plight of Europeans living in permanently in the USA ".
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the White House was discussing lifting the measures, without giving a specific timetable.
Jul 3, 21, 10:16 pm
#1445
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,582
Originally Posted by Panos17
Just read an article from the Greek-American news website "National Herald". Quoting google translation:
source: https://www.ekirikas.com/omogeneia_a...s_e_e-2809236/
source: https://www.ekirikas.com/omogeneia_a...s_e_e-2809236/
The only thing that would get this done quickly would be if Biden himself got all the US government stakeholders together and said. "Get this s*** done in (insert time period here)." He won't do that for a variety of reasons.
Jul 4, 21, 1:57 am
#1446
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 6,499
Originally Posted by Visconti
I even favor lifting vaccination and testing requirements once we’ve reached our objective of 70% in the 18+ demographic fully vaccinated--with herd immunity reached, continuing restrictions & testing regimes appear unproductive and needlessly inhibitive.
Or you can give tax incentives to businesses requiring/showing their employees to be vaccinated. Brute force vaccination mandate won’t going to work.
Jul 4, 21, 1:58 am
#1447
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: OW Sapphire (BA), *A Gold (A3), Le Club Accor Gold, HHonor Diamond
Posts: 5,061
Originally Posted by Visconti
Agreed.
Once we hit the 70% fully vaccinated 18+ demographic, we should fully reopen our borders. At this point, it’s both unrealistic and unnecessary to have a high degree of vaccine penetration in the under 18+ demographic. With the vulnerable protected--they have been for quite some time now--and, thus far, with the vaccines appearing effective at keeping hospitalization rates and fatalities under control, I see very little reason to continue with restrictions.
While it makes sense to surgically address pockets of low vaccine penetration, we can, as per the adage, walk and chew gum at the same time, and gradually unwind restrictions. While this view is most certainly unpopular, I even favor lifting vaccination and testing requirements once we’ve reached our objective of 70% in the 18+ demographic fully vaccinated--with herd immunity reached, continuing restrictions & testing regimes appear unproductive and needlessly inhibitive.
Once we hit the 70% fully vaccinated 18+ demographic, we should fully reopen our borders. At this point, it’s both unrealistic and unnecessary to have a high degree of vaccine penetration in the under 18+ demographic. With the vulnerable protected--they have been for quite some time now--and, thus far, with the vaccines appearing effective at keeping hospitalization rates and fatalities under control, I see very little reason to continue with restrictions.
While it makes sense to surgically address pockets of low vaccine penetration, we can, as per the adage, walk and chew gum at the same time, and gradually unwind restrictions. While this view is most certainly unpopular, I even favor lifting vaccination and testing requirements once we’ve reached our objective of 70% in the 18+ demographic fully vaccinated--with herd immunity reached, continuing restrictions & testing regimes appear unproductive and needlessly inhibitive.
Jul 4, 21, 6:34 am
#1448
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 46
Originally Posted by fransknorge
Population immunity is at 80% of the entire population, not 70% of the +18.
Corona is here to stay, its going to be a permanent thing now. Which means theres absolutely no benefit to keeping the borders closed, considering the vulnerable (and anyone else who wants to be) are now all vaccinated.
Jul 4, 21, 7:59 am
#1449
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 236
I think we're closer to herd immunity (in US) than most people think because you need to consider the number vaccinated plus the number who have natural immunity from having contracted covid. Let's consider all ages and assuume herd immunity requires 70-90%. 55% of all ages have received at least one vaccine. There are over 33M official cases, but it is understood that there are about 3x that number of people who have contracted covid, i.e. 100M or 30% of the population.
Then how do you add these two numbers together? If you assume no correlation between the two populations (vaccinated and previously infected), then you need to subtract the overlap, so the total is 69%. If you assume correlation between the two populations, then you can add the two numbers. Correlation is because: those who are vaccinated tend not to be previously infected, and those who are previously infected tend not to get vaccinations. So the total proportion of immune in the entire population is between 69% and 85%. If you consider adults only, then add about 10% to these numbers.
(disclosure: I'm in the category of vaccinated and no covid)
Then how do you add these two numbers together? If you assume no correlation between the two populations (vaccinated and previously infected), then you need to subtract the overlap, so the total is 69%. If you assume correlation between the two populations, then you can add the two numbers. Correlation is because: those who are vaccinated tend not to be previously infected, and those who are previously infected tend not to get vaccinations. So the total proportion of immune in the entire population is between 69% and 85%. If you consider adults only, then add about 10% to these numbers.
(disclosure: I'm in the category of vaccinated and no covid)
Jul 4, 21, 8:04 am
#1450
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,356
Originally Posted by invisible
58% of 18+ adults in the US are fully vaccinated. If the goal is >70%, then at best it will take 6-12 months, considering the speed of vaccination is falling.
Originally Posted by invisible
Or you can give tax incentives to businesses requiring/showing their employees to be vaccinated. Brute force vaccination mandate won’t going to work.
While of course we'd like to be as empathetic and accommodating as we can, there's a point when those who prefer to make their living with our firm will have to decide either to get vaccinated or seek opportunities elsewhere that's more aligned with their preferences. I suspect my industry, as will some others, will ultimately follow a similar approach.
Jul 4, 21, 1:28 pm
#1454
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Everyone who's predicted that we were close to herd immunity has been proven wrong. First the Swedes and their boosters.
Then all of Europe and North American got pounded over the winter months, as many epidemiologists predicted.
People have been saying with natural and vaccine immunity we must be close now. Only infections are going up in different parts of US and now Europe.
Please, no more predictions, seems to jinx it.
Then all of Europe and North American got pounded over the winter months, as many epidemiologists predicted.
People have been saying with natural and vaccine immunity we must be close now. Only infections are going up in different parts of US and now Europe.
Please, no more predictions, seems to jinx it.
Jul 4, 21, 3:27 pm
#1455
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 11,937
I was checking the Sherpa site (https://apply.joinsherpa.com) for restrictions from Canada to the USA and came across this detail when checking its information from the UK to the USA.
It mentions Treaty Traders being on the list of exemptions. I am a treaty trader living in the USA. Sadly, I think they are just plain wrong. I've reported the error to them. I cannot see any reference to Treaty Traders now being exempt even though it would make total sense to add them.
Their source is this CDC URL but there's no mention of Treaty Traders there either. I got excited because the page was updated on July 2nd.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...countries.html
It mentions Treaty Traders being on the list of exemptions. I am a treaty trader living in the USA. Sadly, I think they are just plain wrong. I've reported the error to them. I cannot see any reference to Treaty Traders now being exempt even though it would make total sense to add them.
Their source is this CDC URL but there's no mention of Treaty Traders there either. I got excited because the page was updated on July 2nd.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...countries.html
