Here’s All You Need to Know About Travelling Restrictions to US Due to COVID-19
Since January 2021, the US government has put up some traveling restrictions to the US due to COVID-19. The geographic COVID-19 related ban prevented non-citizens of the US, who were present in the following countries within the last 14 days:
1. China
2. Iran
3. United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
4. Republic of Ireland
5. Brazil
6. South Africa
7. European Schengen Region (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City)
8. India.
However, on September 30, 2021, the US government announced its plan to lift the travel restrictions on these countries. Individuals from these regions will be required to present evidence of complete vaccination. They would also present a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within three days before boarding a flight to the US.
Complete vaccination describes the two weeks post-vaccination when you have received the second dose of Pfizer’s vaccine or Moderna vaccine and the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
This new policy of full vaccination would apply not only to non-citizens from the listed countries but also to any other non-citizens willing to travel to the US. The policy also applies to non-citizens who have been in the USA and are ready to travel out. The new policy is set to commence in November, but the date has not been announced.
Exceptions to this policy about Travelling Restrictions to US Due to COVID-19 are:
1. Children below the age of 2years are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,
2. COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, and
3. Individuals traveling in on an essential visit and cannot get vaccinated within the period required to travel
However, you should know that these individuals would be required to self-quarantine for seven days if they were tested before arrival and for ten days if they were not tested on arrival.
Non-citizens who can present these proofs can travel into the US without isolation requirements upon arrival. The policy applies only to air travel. Restrictions in place for other forms of travel are discussed later in this article.
Exceptions to Geographic Ban.
Citizens, permanent residents, and specified close family members can enter the US the usual way. The family exemptions include:
1. Legally married spouses of US Citizens;
2. Legally married spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as “Green Card” holders;
3. Under-21, unmarried child of a US citizen or Lawful permanent resident;
4. Parent or guardian of an under-21, unmarried US citizen or Lawful permanent resident;
5. Under-21 unmarried sibling of an under-21 unmarried US citizen or Lawful permanent resident.
Also, UN staff and diplomats with special visas will be able to enter the US based on the normal entry requirements.
You can get more information about traveling into the US, specific to your country, at the travel.state.gov website.
National Interest Exception
For National Interest Exceptions (NIE), the new policy would also apply to them. Individuals under the National Interest Exception include students, academic researchers, public health officials, government officials, emergency health officials, and crew members. Humanitarians and travelers who wish to provide vital support critical to the US’s infrastructure, health, and national security are also under the NIE.
Students who wish to travel from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland do not require an individual NIE to travel, provided that they possess valid F-1 and M-1 visas. Also, Government officials and Diplomats with valid A or G visas do not need NIE to travel.
You can get more information about traveling into the US, specific to your country here.
Testing Requirements
Travelers who wish to travel to the US must take a viral test within three days before the scheduled flight date to the US. The test must be either a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) test or an antigen test. They are to present documentation of the negative test result, with the individual’s name and identity corresponding to that on his passport and other forms of identification, at the airline.
Travelers who fail to provide documentation may be restricted by the airline from traveling. Upon arrival, travelers should also take a viral test within three days after travel. They should also self-isolate for seven days until the test results are available. If they test negative, they should remain in isolation for another period of seven days. If they test positive, they should extend their stay in isolation to prevent the spread of the virus.
Travelers who have been fully vaccinated before travel are exempted from this post-viral test and isolation procedure.
Mask Requirements
Now, even when you are fully vaccinated, you are still required to wear a mask with no vent that covers your nose and mouth. You are to wear your mask at every point of travel, both in and out of the airport, aircraft, trains, intercity bus services, and other modes of public transportation upon arrival.
Also, you should keep the mask on in between bites and drinks. Should any traveler fail to do this, such could be restricted from taking the flight. And that can be really frustrating! Hand washing, sanitizing, and social distancing are also fully required.
Most states in the US have waived the requirements of COVID-19 viral testing as a requirement before entry, provided the traveler is fully vaccinated.
For example, to enter the state of Hawaii, you are required to provide proof of full vaccination to bypass quarantine. While in Georgia, there are no state-specific travel guidelines. You can get further information specific to each state as recommended by CDC.
Restrictions have been in place for Land travels. Individuals who are willing to move in through the shared border between Canada and Mexico have not been able to for about 18months now. Right now, CBP has extended the ban till late October 2021, permitting only essential travel. Essential travels include travels by:
- US citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States
- Individuals who work in the United States
- Lawful cross-border traders (e.g., truck drivers carrying cargo)
- Students who attend educational institutions in the US
- Individuals who need to receive medical treatment
- Members of the US Armed forces and their spouses and children
- Other individuals who are considered exempt from the restrictions by CBP.
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