New rules for air travel set as America reopens to the World

The Biden Administration has set new rules for foreign travelers wanting to come to the US.

The flight restrictions are being lifted for the first time since the Pandemic began in 2020.

The plan to reopen the US to foreigners from November 08 has the requirement to only allow fully vaccinated individuals inside. The airline industry has long asked President Biden to lift the ban that’s been in place on dozens of countries.

President Trump had originally placed the ban and it was extended by Biden when he took office in January 2021.

The proclamation tells airlines to check the vaccination cards of foreigners wishing to board flights destined for the US. Only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter the planes.

“It is the policy of my Administration to implement science-based public health measures, across all areas of the Federal Government, to prevent further introduction, transmission, and spread of COVID-19 into and throughout the United States, including from international air travelers,” the proclamation released by the White House read.

The proclamation also said that it is in the “interests of the US to move away from the country-by-country restrictions.” The White House would now focus on an “air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of international air travel to the United States.”

Entry of foreigners will be suspended, “except in limited circumstances.” The proclamation also “ensures that the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants is consistent with applicable health and safety determinations made by the Director of the CDC, including a requirement that, where appropriate, such individuals agree and arrange to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon their arrival.”

The proof of vaccination will be confirmed by the airlines through an official source. The proof should be submitted at least two weeks prior to boarding the flight.

Children are exempt from showing the proof of vaccination, but they must provide a negative COVID test taken three days prior to boarding the flight.

Unvaccinated individuals, including Americans must show a negative COVID test taken a day before departure.