U.S. travel restrictions will ease for fully vaccinated travelers and foreign nationals flying into the country starting early November 2021. The September 20th announcement from the U.S. government means travelers from previously banned countries can return back to the U.S. The Leo House, along with the rest of the world, is celebrating the lifting of the U.S. travel restrictions. We are so excited to welcome back international guests who have made our property their home-away-from-home in New York City. 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson exclaims, “I’m delighted that from November, @POTUS is reinstating transatlantic travel so fully vaccinated UK nationals can visit the USA. It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can reunite once again.”

To provide an update and some clarity, we’ve gathered some of the details for you below. Travelers must follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel guidance as well as local and state advisories regarding COVID-19.  

What are the changes regarding U.S. Travel Restrictions?

Travel bans applying to the UK, Ireland, EU, Europe’s Schengen travel area, China, India, Iran, Brazil and South Africa will end in early November.  The U.S. will soon permit fully vaccinated air travelers from Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, and also, Britain, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil. Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, explains in a recent press conference, “Starting in early November we will be putting in place strict protocols to prevent the spread of Covid19 from passengers flying internationally into the United States by requiring adult foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. be fully vaccinated.” White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, reaffirms an announcement by Jeffrey Zients, the White House pandemic coordinator. 

When will foreign travelers be able to enter the U.S.?

Fully vaccinated travelers arriving by air will be able to enter the United States starting in early November. An exact date is unclear at this moment but we expect a more firm date in the coming weeks. We will provide an update for you on our social channels on Facebook and Instagram as soon as we hear. 

What about foreign travelers arriving by land?

The upcoming November policy lifting U.S. travel restrictions only applies to people boarding an airplane at this time. The current land-border restrictions policy is active until October 21. An unvaccinated person could still enter the United States by land if their reason for traveling is essential. The definition of “essential” offered by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada includes “work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.”

What paperwork will foreign travelers need to travel to the U.S.?

Adult travelers must provide proof of vaccination and proof of a negative covid test taken three days before boarding their flight. The C.D.C. will direct airlines to collect phone numbers and email addresses of travelers for a new contact-tracing system. Additional details of the contact tracing system are soon to come.

Unvaccinated Americans who want to travel home from overseas will have to clear stricter testing requirements. They will need a negative covid test one day before traveling to the U.S. and show proof that they purchased a test to take after arriving in the United States, Mr. Zients said. 

Can unvaccinated children travel into the U.S.?

Children who aren’t yet eligible to get the vaccine most likely will be exempt from the vaccination requirement. We await clarity from the White House to confirm this information.

What vaccines are on the list from the C.D.C.? 

The C.D.C. is still considering this information. Today, people are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after their second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization will also be accepted.

Do travelers have to quarantine after arriving in the United States? 

Travelers abiding by the above requirements do not have to quarantine after arriving in the U.S. 

More information about the U.S. Travel Restrictions are available on the following sites:

• NYCgo – Coronavirus Information and Requirements (including vaccinations and mask requirements) in Indoor Dining Spaces, Indoor Entertainment and Performing Art Venues, Broadway, Mass Transit and more.  
• Reuters – U.S. to relax travel restrictions for vaccinated foreign air travelers in November
• The New York Times – U.S. to Lift Pandemic Travel Restrictions, Easing Tension With Europe