Covid: Biden sets new rules for the reopening of air travel to the United States

The White House has outlined new rules for foreign travelers to the United States as flight restrictions are lifted for the first time since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

The plan to reopen the US border next month for foreign flights includes the obligation to vaccinate almost all foreign visitors against Covid.

The travel ban in the United States has grown to include dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, much of Europe, China and India.

The travel industry has asked US President Joe Biden to lift the ban.

Originally imposed by Donald Trump, the ban on flights from most foreign countries was extended when Biden took power in January 2021.

The rule prohibits most visitors from Brazil, China, South Africa, the UK, the 26 Schengen countries in Europe, Ireland, India and Iran.

The proclamation signed by Mr Biden on Monday states that airlines will be required to check the vaccination status of travelers before they can board departing planes.

“It is in the interest of the United States to move away from the country-by-country restrictions previously enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic and to adopt an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of international air travel. In the United States “says Biden’s proclamation.

Airlines must confirm that proof of vaccination comes from an “official source” and was received at least two weeks earlier. All vaccines approved by the US health authorities will be accepted.

Unvaccinated travelers, including Americans, will need to show a negative Covid test within one day of departure.

Children under the age of 18 will be exempt from the vaccination obligation but will still have to provide a negative test carried out within three days of travel.

The new restrictions will take effect on November 8th.