SamirD

In time, all the loopholes will be closed, but then there will be cases where travel is of an emergency status--then what?

Perfect case in point is my wife's family friend who lives in London whose daughter in SFO passed away from covid (she was under 35). It is a shock and terrible for her two kids and husband. But UK to USA isn't possible. These are either the collateral damages from the pandemic or there has to be some processes introduced to help these situations on a case by case basis that can't be abused.

the810

I don't see how this is a loophole and why would it be beneficial to have it closed (from the UK's perspective, I understand the Turkish decision). The point of the UK quarantine requirement is to prevent a spread by people coming from high-risk location. If someone spends two weeks in Turkey, an eventual infection contracted in Pakistan is no longer a concern from the public health perspective. Their previous travel history is completely irrelevant.

MSPeconomist

I'm surprised that in this case, there's no exception for a relative of a USA citizen or permanent resident.

GUWonder

The US continues to have exceptions for foreign relatives of US citizens and US LPRs. It's just that there are also people who want the exceptions to be widened to cover even more foreign relatives and friends than is already the case.

SamirD

Once I researched it, there are specific exceptions for these type of cases, so that's good.

ExplorerWannabe

Certainly a time of shock and sadness for the loved ones she left behind but as I recall, New Zealand's isolation policy was working very well until they let in some family members on a bereavement exception to quarantine. In Hawaii, funerals and other family gatherings have tended to be the spreader events. Here on FT we had quite a few people who thought they were young and healthy and should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of travel when everyone else was cooped up. Everyone thinks they're different and should have exceptions made for them. Unfortunately in the US, we have about 100 million of these people wanting exceptional handling and are then surprised when we have spikes or can't control the outbreaks.

Getting back to the subject, the OP appears to have good documentation to show he wasn't in India for the 14 days prior to entry so he should be good to go. It's interesting to see that some people thought about the situation this past year and were able to make some money and provide a needed service with basically quarantine vacations that enabled safe international travel.

piyush

A friend who lives in India and is an Indian citizen needs to visit the US. He is fully vaccinated with Covishield (AstraZeneca equivalent) over 2 weeks ago. Are there any options for countries other than Mexico where he can go for 15 days before going to the US?

Right now he is looking at taking an Air France or Lufthansa flight to Mexico.

SamirD

I don't think anything has changed with regards to Indians coming to the USA, and I expect it won't anytime soon as things begin to lock down again due to the newest strain. Our friend's mom is supposed to coming here in September and she fully expects that to get pushed yet again.

piyush

Thanks. I'm just wondering which other countries they can go to for 15 days before they go to the US. Currently they are looking at Mexico and Russia.

They are also trying to find out if anyone is doing shared air charters to Mexico.

invisible

If they are vaccinated, Georgia allows entry and there is a flight DEL-IST-TBS, from TBS there are multiple ways to get to the US, TK again will be easier, doing TBS-IST-SFO or TBS-IST-ORD.

Need to check closely if Georgia has additional requirements for people coming from India.

Bob Saccamano

Maldives is an option once again I believe from July 15th. Indians are allowed back with PCR test etc in uninhabited islands. !4 days and then Qatar, emirates ,TK etc to USA.

Bob

piyush

Thanks. It looks like Georgia has mandatory quarantine for anyone who has been in India in the last 14 days.

Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of India and the Permanent Representation to the Economic and Social Commission of the United Nations (mfa.gov.ge)

"Except for any person traveling from the Republic of India (regardless of citizenship and full course of vaccination) as well as persons having a history of travel to the Republic of India for the last 14 days. They are subject to a negative PCR test conducted in the last 72 hours prior to the visit to Georgia at the border and then – a mandatory 14-day quarantine (in the case of foreigners, at their own expense)."

Thanks.

Maldives is actually a good option. Flights are relatively cheap as well but my friend felt 15 days in Maldives would be too much.