US to relax travel rules for vaccinated passengers from UK and EU
Ending almost two years of coronavirus travel restrictions
Vaccinated passengers will be able to enter the US from the UK and EU from November onwards - meaning those who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
All foreign travellers will need to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days of the flight.
It will end an 18-month patchwork of travel restrictions imposed by former president Donald Trump at the start of the pandemic.
However, President Biden will tighten rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who now need to be tested within a day of their departure from the US as well as on their return.
Airlines will be required to collect contacting tracing information - including phone numbers and email addresses - from international travellers. Those fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine.
The changes only effect air travel, with the order restricting overland travel from Canada and Mexico still in place and reviewed on a monthly basis.
Under the previous policy, only American citizens, their immediate families, or green card holders could enter the US from the UK or EU.
The US also banned travel for anyone who had been in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, or India, 14 days prior to arriving in the country.
The White House confirmed today that US citizens who are not vaccinated will face stricter Covid testing requirements.
The traffic light system for international travel will change from October 4 here in Northern Ireland, with a single red list'' of destinations and a "simplified process'' for travellers for the rest of the world.
Proposed changes to pre-departure and post-arrival testing for travellers are under consideration and will be discussed by Executive ministers later this week.
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