US to Ease Restrictions, Require COVID-19 Vaccine for International Travelers
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The Biden administration announced Monday that international travelers will be required to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country starting in early November. Nonessential air travel to the U.S. had been banned from several major European countries, Iran and China for most of the pandemic. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday the rules will "protect Americans here at home, and enhance the safety of the international air travel system." Unvaccinated U.S. citizens will need to be tested for COVID-19 within a day before returning to the U.S. and again after they arrive home. The new rules do not affect land travel from Mexico or Canada, where bans on nonessential travel are still in effect.
The news made headlines across the spectrum Monday. Some coverage from right-rated sources placed more emphasis on the vaccine requirement; some coverage from left-rated outlets focused on the relaxed restrictions for vaccinated people.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
US easing virus restrictions for foreign flights to AmericaThe U.S. said Monday it will ease airline restrictions this fall on travel to the country for people who have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test, replacing a hodgepodge of rules that had kept out many non-citizens and irritated allies in Europe and beyond where virus cases are far lower.
The changes, to take effect in November, will allow families and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to plan for long-awaited reunifications and allow foreigners with work permits to get back to their...
From the Right
Biden Easing Airplane Travel Restrictions on Foreigners, Require Proof of Full VaccinationThe Biden administration on Monday confirmed it will direct the Department of Homeland Security to ease travel restrictions on COVID-19 vaccinated foreign visitors.
White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said in a news conference that all foreign visitors need to be vaccinated and present proof of their vaccination before boarding a U.S.-bound airline. Those individuals must also show a negative COVID-19 test no later than 72 hours before flying, he said, adding that there will be no quarantine requirement.
Zients said the new rules, which go into effect in early November, will “protect Americans...
From the Left
U.S. to ease Covid travel entry rules, require vaccinations for foreign visitorsThe Biden administration will require all international travelers coming into the United States to be fully vaccinated and tested for Covid-19 under a new system that will open up air travel to vaccinated foreign nationals from dozens of countries for the first time since the early days of the pandemic.
Starting in early November, foreign nationals will be allowed to fly into the U.S. if they are fully vaccinated and able to show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight, White House Covid coordinator Jeffrey Zients said.
The requirement will...
AllSides Picks
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024