Biden easing foreign air travel restrictions, requiring vaccines
CBC
President Joe Biden will ease foreign travel restrictions to the U.S. beginning in November, allowing foreigners to fly into the country if they have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test, the White House said Monday.
The new rules will replace a hodgepodge of restrictions that had barred non-citizens who had been in Europe, much of Asia and certain other countries in the prior 14 days from entering the U.S. The changes will allow families and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to plan for long-awaited reunions.
The White House also indicated that restrictions on non-essential travel from Canada and Mexico through land borders will remain in place through Oct. 21.
All foreign travellers flying to the U.S. will need to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of flight, said White House COVID-19 co-ordinator Jeff Zients, who announced the new policy on Monday.
There will be some exceptions to the vaccine policy, officials said, including for children not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
Biden will also tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be tested within a day before returning to the U.S., as well as after they arrive home.
Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine, Zients said.
