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U.S. To End Covid Rules And Allow Unvaccinated Travelers From May 11

Published

6 months ago

June 19, 2024

The United States is open to tourists from all countries but a vaccine requirement is required for most international visitors.

US Reopening Tourism – LATEST UPDATES and News:

May 2 – US to Scrap COVID-Vaccination Requirements to enter the country for all international travelers

As per a recent announcement by the United States Government, COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travelers and federal workers will be lifted on May 11.

When the public health emergency expires next week, the mandate associated with the coronavirus will be lifted, according to President Joe Biden and his administration’s health officials.

As reported by Reuters.com. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, non-citizens entering the country through land ports and ferries will no longer be required to be vaccinated against COVID -19 beginning May 12.

April 13: Biden Ends Covid National Emergency But Unvaccinated Travel Remains Banned

The White House announced that President Joe Biden has signed a bill to terminate the national emergency related to Covid-19 on Monday.

However, this termination will not affect the separate public health emergency which is scheduled to end on May 11. A White House official stated that the end of the national emergency will not disrupt the orderly winding down of authorities.

That being said, the bill won’t affect the ban on unvaccinated travelers to the U.S. until at least May 11.

The bill was passed with a bipartisan 68-23 vote in the Senate last month and was approved by the House earlier this year, with 11 Democrats voting in favor of the joint resolution.

April 3 – The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution formally declaring an end to the COVID-19 national emergency.

A GOP-led resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency that has been in effect since 2020 was approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

The upper chamber approved the proposal by a vote of 68 to 23. The Senate last year approved an identical measure sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), but the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives rejected it.

This year, the House approved it by a vote of 229 to 197, with 11 Democrats voting with all Republicans. Last year, President Biden threatened to veto the bill.

Instead of threatening a veto this year, he spoke out against the proposal in a policy statement before the House vote.

On Wednesday, however, he said he would sign the bill. The national emergency will end then on May 11.

How can unvaccinated travel to the U.S.?

The only way unvaccinated travelers can visit the U.S. is to meet one of the exceptions. You can find all the details about exceptions on the C.D.C website.

Exceptions:

Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel

Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine

Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials

Children under 18 years of age

Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception

Sea crew members traveling with to a C-1 and D nonimmigrant visa

Persons with valid visas [excluding B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas] who are citizens of a foreign country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (See list for updates effective June 28, 2022)

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)

Persons whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, or Secretary of Homeland Security (or their designees)

U.S. Reopening FAQs

Do you need a vaccine to cross the US land border?

Yes, U.S. requires proof of a Covid vaccine for land border crossinngs until at least January 8.

Do you need a Covid-19 test to enter the United States?

No, the testing required to enter the U.S. was dropped in June 2022 for all travelers entering.

Is the U.S. for tourism from all countries?

Yes, the U.S. is fully open for regular tourism but the Covid-19 vaccine is still required.

When will the U.S. allow unvaccinated travelers?

The United States is still requiring Covid vaccine from non-US travelers and TSA has recently extended the mandate until at least January 8.

Even tho Covid restrictions and requirements are slowly losing importance around the world, there are more than 100 countries that still require Covid vaccines or tests for travel, and the U.S. is one of them.