US softens entry conditions for visitors 0:56
(CNN) - America
's new international travel policies will take effect in just a few weeks.
November 8 will be the official start date for the reopening of the United States to fully vaccinated travelers entering the country by air or land, the White House announced this Friday.
Although there are still details to be refined, having a set date is a relief for many potential travelers who have been left in limbo since it was announced on September 20 that the implementation of a new international air travel system would take place " at the beginning of November ”.
Who are the citizens most affected by the new US entry restrictions?
Similar plans were announced this week to reopen the United States' borders with Mexico and Canada to travelers vaccinated for tourism purposes and non-essential travel.
The date of November 8 includes air and land travel.
This is all that is known so far about the new policies and what they will mean for travelers:
Who can travel?
The new rules allow foreigners fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States, replacing a series of prohibitions and restrictions established since the beginning of the pandemic.
advertising
This means that foreigners coming from countries subject to restrictions, such as China, Iran, the Schengen area of Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India, will soon be able to gain access under the new rules that apply to all international travelers.
The vaccination requirement goes into effect on November 8.
Which countries apply Sputnik V?
Russian vaccine leaves millions in Latin America who want to travel to the US in a bind
What vaccines are accepted?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already alerted airlines that all FDA-approved and cleared vaccines, as well as vaccines that are on the WHO Emergency Use List (EUL) will be accepted for entry into the United States.
(READ: What vaccines are valid to enter the US?)
This means that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is used in places like Canada and Europe, will be accepted.
The Sputnik V vaccine, developed in Russia, has not been approved by the WHO or the FDA.
Although the CDC has not yet commented on vaccines for travel across land borders, a White House official told CNN that he hopes the same vaccines will be accepted.
The CDC considers people to be "fully vaccinated" two weeks after their second dose on a two-dose regimen, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
The United States will reopen the borders with Mexico and Canada to fully vaccinated travelers
What about unvaccinated Americans?
Unvaccinated Americans can continue to enter the United States, but will have to undergo more stringent tests for air travel.
They will be "subject to more stringent testing requirements," including testing within one day of your flight to the United States and additional testing upon your return, said Jeff Zients, the covid-19 response coordinator. of the White House when it announced the new rules on international air travel on September 20.
The announcement on the land borders of Mexico and Canada on October 12 did not specifically refer to unvaccinated Americans, but the vaccination requirement is directed at "incoming foreign travelers."
What about unvaccinated children?
Although little has been said about children in announcements for the new international travel system, the Department of Homeland Security told CNN that the vaccination requirement will not apply to children who are not eligible for vaccination.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Sept. 20 that the stricter rules for air travel that have been set for unvaccinated Americans "at this time obviously would apply to children as well."
It is not clear if the entry requirements will be the same for foreign and American children.
CNN requested clarification on travel requirements for the children.
What about mixed dose vaccines?
The CDC is working on the issue of mixed-dose vaccines, according to senior administration officials.
The CDC will offer guidance "in the coming weeks" regarding the vaccination status of people who received doses of two different vaccines, an official said Oct. 12.
Dr. Huerta explains if it is possible to combine different doses of vaccines against covid-19
Do you need tests?
Fully vaccinated air travelers are still required to submit a negative covid-19 test within three days of the departure of their flight to the United States, in accordance with current regulations.
As mentioned above, unvaccinated US citizens will need to be tested for COVID-19 within one day of their flight departure and again upon arrival.
Proof is not required at land borders.
What type of documentation is required?
A White House official said Friday that details will be released soon about what an acceptable proof of vaccination will represent.
At land borders, vaccinated people crossing for non-essential reasons must "be prepared to attest to their vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) official upon request. "said the official.
Another senior administration official said Tuesday that the agencies are working closely with the CDC on both ground and air requirements and should have a decision in "the next few days on what the proper documentation will be."
Airlines already have systems in place to collect test information required of air travelers, because all air travelers entering the US are already required to submit a negative test result.
The White House official said more operational details related to international travel will be released "well in advance of November 8 to allow for a smooth transition to the new system."
Keep your covid-19 vaccination certificate at hand
Who can no longer enter the United States?
The new international travel system largely prohibits unvaccinated foreigners from entering the United States.
Unvaccinated travelers from countries not affected by the travel ban who can currently fly to the US (from Mexico and Canada, for example) will no longer be able to enter as of November 8.
A White House official told CNN that further guidance on "very limited exceptions" to the requirements will be provided before the international travel policy takes effect.
At land borders, the vaccination requirement that goes into effect on November 8 applies to non-essential travel, such as tourism and visits to friends and family.
People traveling for essential reasons, including truckers and students, will be able to continue crossing the borders until the beginning of January, whether they are vaccinated or not.
The vaccination requirement for all foreigners crossing the borders by land or by ferry will take effect in early January.
- CNN's Betsy Klein and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.
ReopeningTurismo United States
