U.S. Reopening For Tourists With 6 FDA Approved Vaccines in November 2021

The U.S. is planning to lift its travel ban and reopen tourism for vaccinated travelers in early November.

As of now, the U.S. is open for tourism, with the exception of people coming from 39 banned territories. Both national and foreign travelers need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flights.

Returning nationals and residents are allowed back from banned countries but they may need to quarantine upon arrival.

Multiple states have lifted all restrictions for domestic traveling, and several of them don’t even require wearing masks anymore.

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US Reopening Borders – LATEST UPDATES

October 10 – U.S. Reveals the vaccines it will accept for EU travelers 

There was a lot of uncertainty over which brand of vaccines the US would accept as a valid entry requirement for EU travelers, once it open its borders.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed the country will accept the following:

• Moderna
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
• AstraZeneca, including Covishield
• Sinopharm (Beijing)
• Sinovac

The CDC also informed that more information will be released as soon as the travel protocols are completed.

The reopening date has not been announced yet. 

October 2 – US, Canada, UK, and other G7 leaders met to discuss the future of international travel

Transport and health ministers of Canada, Germany, the U.K, the U.S, Japan, Italy, and France virtually met to discuss the future of international travel on Thursday. 

Among other things, the U.S. committed to a number of principles “for a safe and sustainable reopening of travel.” These include trusting scientific evidence, accept both digital and non-digital test and vaccine passports, protect users’ private data, and supporting cleaner technologies for land, air, and maritime transport.

Sept. 24 – The U.S. lift the ban on European Travel but reopening date remains unknown

This week, the U.S. announced that its long ban on European travel will end in “early November”. But so far, they haven’t provided an exact reopening date yet.

The head of the White House’s COVID-19 Response Team, Jeff Zients, said that all travelers must be fully vaccinated, no exceptions. 

The CDC will order commercial airlines to collect information from U.S.-bound visitors including their phone number and email address to act as a “public health surveillance system.” 

More information about the date and the requirements is expected to be revealed over the next few weeks.  

Source: Reuters

How safe is it to travel to the States at the moment?

According to America’s COVID Warning System, the country is overcoming the 4th wave of coronavirus infections.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

As of October 12, the U.S. has recorded 45,313,353 cases and 734,611. The U.S. has the highest death toll in the world.

Is it possible to travel the U.S. for business or tourism? 

The U.S. is open to most countries for business or tourism. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention with only some specific exceptions, visitors won’t be able to enter the U.S. if they have been to one of these 35 countries over the last 14 days.

(Current at October 12)

• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• China
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Iran
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland, Portugal
• Republic of Ireland
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
• Vatican City

Airlines currently flying from Europe to the U.S., (Find restrictions below)

• Lufthansa  United 
• Air Europa 
• Royal Air Maroc
• Air France
• Alitalia, Delta Operated by Alitalia CityLiner
• Delta
• KLM, Delta Virgin Atlantic
• Lufthansa, Air Canada 0perated by Air Canada Express – Sky Regional
• Lufthansa, Air Canada operated by Air Canada Express – Jazz
• Lufthansa, United operated by Mesa Airlines DBA United Express
• Tap Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

What are state-related restrictions in the different states of the U.S?

After so many months of high COVID-19 case transmission and local restrictions foreign visitors might be longing to travel again or visit family and friends in other states. In order to make things go smoothly it is important to keep up with the constant fluctuation of rules and regulations.

Some states may ask travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, quarantine upon arrival, or submit a travel declaration and self-isolation plan, some other states may just allow them to freely travel intercity or interstate.

To be sure of what to do and avoid problems leaving or coming back home, travelers can find updated information about every single state on Travel restrictions state by state in the U.S.

Other requirements to take into account

• All airlines will compel passengers to wear a mask, and many of them could refuse them boarding if they don’t comply. 
• Some airlines are operating flights at 60% capacity but others allow travel on a 100% crowded plane. 
• Different rules may apply for couples holding passports from different countries. Travelers should consult local, regional, and national regulations to ensure they are compliant.

To be granted access to the United States travelers may rely on a great variety of factors including but not limited to if they are a foreigner or national, the countries they have recently visited, their visa status, the states where they are supposed to land when they arrive in the country, their current health status, or even their commitment to attend local regulations.

So because rules and regulations updates can be released with short to no prior notice, it’s strongly recommended for everyone to check both their embassy website for unexpected changes and local news for permanent updates on local policies in each state. 

Traveling to U.S during pandemic FAQs:

US reopening borders for tourism: Update Archives

September 16 – The U.S. works on a “new system for international travel” aiming to reopen borders

White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Wednesday the country is working on a “new system for international travel” that will include contract tracing for international visitors when the country lifts its travel ban. 

The government aims to replace the current restrictions with a “safer, stronger, and sustainable” system. 

The official did not reveal when the new system will be put into motion or the metrics it will use.

Source: Reuters

September 21 – The U.S. to reopen for vaccinated EU and other travelers in November, says government

Jeff Zients, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, announced that the U.S. will reopen to visitors from the European Union in “early November.”

Additionally, fully vaccinated travelers from other 33 countries including China, India and Brazil will also be allowed to come back. 

“We will move to this much stricter global system, so we will have a consistent approach across all countries,” Zients said.

Visitors will need to present proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test. 

Source

September 10 – Nine EU countries have reimposed entry restrictions for American travelers in the last 10 days

On August 31, the European Council recommended removing the U.S. from the “save travel list.” Since then, 11 European countries have taken a stand on the U.S. situation.

As of today, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and France have enforced additional entry restrictions for Americans.

Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic and France not only increased their restrictions but also completely barred the unvaccinated. 

Sweden and Bulgaria have indefinitely closed their borders to all U.S. arrivals. Croatia, Portugal and Ireland will remain open.

Read our full article: Which EU Countries are Open, Closed to American Visitors

August 31 – U.S. Updates Travel Advisory For Canada, Puerto Rico and Other Countries

Seven countries were moved up to Level 4 travel warning since they surpassed the limit of 500 new cases per 100,000 population over the last 28 days. 

The affected countries this time were Switzerland, Saint Lucia, North Macedonia, Laos and Estonia due to their COVID-19 reports; and Oman and Azerbaijan because of raising concerns about terrorism.

Additionally, other 12 countries were moved up or down to the Level 3 travel advisory (high level of COVID). 

Some of them because of their improvements in the fight against the pandemic, and some others like Canada and Germany because their efforts are not producing the expected results.

Source: TravelOffPath

August 19 – U.S. officials and border mayors demand the White House to reopen international borders

A number of U.S. officials and border mayors are joining forces to request the White House to lift the travel restriction that has been in place for 18 months severely affecting their local economies. 

A few weeks ago, Washington announced it will maintain restrictions on multiple countries and territories including the EU and China for the time being.

“The ultimate goal is to look for easing of restrictions on nonessential travel,” as well as the “specifics on what we can, need or must do to achieve that.” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. 

The government has not replied yet.

Source: CNN

August 5 – the US works on a plan to request all international travelers to be fully vaccinated 

The U.S. is reportedly putting in place a new system requiring all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated so they can be allowed to travel into the country, a White House Official told Reuters. 

“With limited exceptions (…) all foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated,” said the official.

He also added that “working groups” are getting ready for “when the time is right to transition to this new system.” However, the date when this plan will be set into motion was not released.

Source: Reuters

August 5 – the US works on a plan to request all international travelers to be fully vaccinated 

The U.S. is reportedly putting in place a new system requiring all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated so they can be allowed to travel into the country, a White House Official told Reuters. 

“With limited exceptions (…) all foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated,” said the official.

He also added that “working groups” are getting ready for “when the time is right to transition to this new system.” However, the date when this plan will be set into motion was not released.

Source: Reuters

July 30 – Fully vaccinated Americans will be able to resume travel with the U.K. on August 2, but U.S remains closed due to a delta variant and surge in cases!

While the U.S. continues to be closed for half of the world due to a surge in Covid cases, more countries have been adding it to the list of allowed visitors.

Effective August 2, double-vaccinated Americans and residents will be allowed to travel to the U.K. without quarantine. 

There is a catch. Americans should’ve been vaccinated in the U.S. or in one EU country.

Although these travelers no longer need to quarantine, they will still be required to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test before boarding and take another one on the second day of their stay in England.

This scheme does not apply to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for now.

Read our full post: U.K. drops quarantine for fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 2

July 16 – The U.S. borders will not reopen for EU or other travelers for the time being

“It defies logic. It defies science. It defies fact,” Democratic Representative of New York, Brian Higgins told CNN, regarding the lack of transparency about the U.S. international borders reopening. 

Another White official said that European Union, United Kingdom, Canadian and Mexican task groups have met with their American counterparts to discuss the aspects that would allow them to safely reopen the country.

However, another White House official told Reuters that “the Biden Administration is not in a rush to lift travel restrictions soon.”

Source: TD News

July 9 – The U.S. can’t put a date on the international borders reopening, says government 

The U.S. is unable to put a date on international travel reopening according to a White House official who spoke to Reuters on July 7. 

“There are further discussions to be had before we can announce any next steps on travel reopening with any country,” said the official. 

This is the second time in less than 2 weeks that a Biden’s administration official speaks about the impossibility to determine when the country will reopen for tourism. 

On June 25, the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken also told reporters they could not give an approximate date and that everything will “have to be guided by the science and by medical expertise.” 

As of today, Schengen area residents who are not American citizens are only allowed if traveling under the National Interest Exception (NIE).

Source: Reuters

June 25 – U.S. to resume international tourism after September 6, said U.S. Commerce Secretary

The long-awaited reopening to EU tourists may be about to be over. 

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has stated the country is actively seeking to open travel bubbles with key partners so they can resume international travel soon.

Although not a specific date was announced, Raimondo mentioned Labor Day, which is celebrated on September 6, as the potential date for free foreign travel.

“I’m hopeful that post-Labor Day we will see a nice uptick in business travel and international travel” […] “I can promise that getting business travel and international travel going again is a top priority,” said Raimondo.

(Source: Business Travel News)

June 9 – U.S. to form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K. to create a strategy to safely reopen borders soon

Multiple EU countries expected President Joe Biden’s announcement about the U.S. border reopening during his visit to the U.K. for the very first G7 summit of his administration.

But instead, the White house has issued a statement informing the country will not reopen just yet.

“While we are not reopening travel today, we hope that these expert working groups will help us use our collective expertise to chart a path forward, with a goal of reopening international travel with our key partners when it is determined that it is safe to do so,” reads the statement.

For now, the U.S. will form task groups with Canada, Mexico, the EU and the U.K to find the safest way to start international travel.

(Source: Reuters)

May 24 – The U.S. has not decided yet whether they will reopen to Europeans or not this summer

On May 19, all E.U. members agreed to welcome back Americans from June. E.U. countries can still enforce extra testing or quarantine requirements, but in principle all vaccinated Americans will be allowed to visit Europe for tourism again. 

Unfortunately, on the other side of the Atlantic things seem to be different. Biden administration has been reportedly holding meetings and contacting tourism industry leaders but reopening decisions have not been made yet. 

Last week, White House spokesman Jen Psaki stated that no changes on current travel restrictions have been planned thus far, when asked if the U.S. would allow vaccinated travelers to visit America Again. (Source: Reuters)

Additionally, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said last Wednesday that travel restrictions are a public health decision led by the CDC. This means, this is more than a political decision that can be made among a few industries and the government.

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