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US to lift all travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign nationals from November 8

WION Web Team
NEW DELHIUpdated: Oct 26, 2021, 03:24 PM IST
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1,700 flights canceled taking the count to 20,000 since Christmas eve Photograph:(AFP)

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All arriving non-citizen and non-immigrant foreign passengers must be completely vaccinated beginning November 8, according to a new guideline announced by the Biden administration on Monday for all entering non-citizen and non-immigrant international visitors.

People who have been fully vaccinated can now travel to the United States, as the government has announced that restrictions will be lifted on November 8.

President Joe Biden issued a presidential proclamation on Monday outlining the country's new overseas travel guidelines, which will replace the patchwork of blanket prohibitions in effect since the outbreak began.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the US had imposed a travel restriction on dozens of nations, including India. The new travel guidelines will lift the prohibition.

The new rule, however, has made it more difficult for unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants to enter the United States. 

Watch | US reopens its borders to 33 countries

Only foreign citizens with vaccinations recognised for emergency use by the World Health Organization will be permitted to board aircraft to the United States, with a few exceptions.

The new rule, however, has made it more difficult for unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants to enter the United States. 

New testing techniques are also included in the modified travel instructions.

Unvaccinated travellers, whether US citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or the tiny number of allowed unvaccinated foreign nationals, will now be required to test within one day of departure to improve safeguards. 

"Under this new international air travel system, foreign nationals will need to be fully vaccinated, in order to fly to the United States. The new system also includes enhanced testing requirements, strengthened contact tracing, as well as masking. These are strict safety protocols that follow the science and public health to enhance the safety of Americans here at home, and the safety of international air travel," a senior administration official told reporters.

(With inputs from agencies)