The Biden Administration decided to lift the travel ban imposed 18 months ago, and vaccinated Europeans will be able to enter the U.S starting November. Travelers from Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K, and South Africa, and 26 Schengen Zone countries in Europe will be allowed to enter the U.S if they follow specific requirements.
All travelers need proof of vaccination
According to the new policy, travelers from those countries must be fully vaccinated, provide a negative Covid-19 test, and provide contact tracing information. Many have wondered why travelers from European countries were banned since the infection rate in some countries is much lower than in the U.S. The White House coronavirus coordinator, Jeff Zients, explained that the new international air traveling policy would create a safe environment. U.S citizens will still need to show a negative test when flying towards the state.
Will all Covid-19 vaccines be recognized for international travelers?
It is not clear if the new traveling policy will allow foreigners vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines that are not used in the U.S. In many countries, governments used more than three Covid-19 vaccines or different Covid-10 vaccinates than the ones authorized in the U.S. Some countries are Russia, China, Chile, and many European countries where the AstraZeneca serum was used. White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, declared that for now, it is not clear which Covid-19 vaccines would qualify international travelers for entering the U.S.
It is unfair not to travel just because Governments do not make an exception and recognize international travelers as fully vaccinated, just because some got vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines that were not used in other countries and vice versa. In the end, the exception would be applied to foreign travelers, and it would not mean that the Government authorizes those Covid-19 vaccines for its citizens.
