Long-Awaited Rescission of Country-Specific Travel Bans Takes Effect November 8, 2021

Beginning November 8, 2021, the country-specific travel bans applying to the Schengen area, UK, Ireland, China, India, Iran, Brazil, and South Africa have been rescinded and replaced by new travel requirements based on individual vaccination status.

Vaccinated Travelers

Beginning on November 8, 2021, all adult foreign national travelers will be required to prove they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 andprovide proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding a flight to the United States. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are fully vaccinated will be required to show proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding a flight to the U.S.

Unvaccinated Travelers

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are not fully vaccinated or who cannot provide proof of full vaccination will be required to show proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test within 1 day of boarding a flight to the U.S.

Airlines will need to verify a traveler’s negative viral COVID-19 test result and vaccination status. Airlines will also be required to collect comprehensive contact information for every passenger arriving to the U.S., provide such information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upon request, and contact travelers who have been exposed to COVID-19.

Exceptions

There are limited exceptions to the proof of vaccination requirement including the following:

• Children under the age of 18

• Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception

• Individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccines are medically contraindicated

• Individuals on valid visas (excluding B-1 or B-2 visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccination availability

• Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials

• Members of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses or children under age 18

• Individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel

• Sea crew members traveling to the U.S. on C-1 or D visas

• Individuals whose entry would be in the national interest

Note, exempted travelers must take a viral COVID-19 test within 3-5 days of arrival and self-quarantine for a full 7 days regardless of the test result. Individuals who intend to stay in the United States for 60 days or longer must become fully vaccinated within 60 days of arrival or as soon as medically appropriate. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to self-quarantine in the U.S. following international travel.

Questions about how these new travel guidelines affect you? Contact the ImLaw team.