Travel ban update: Restriction became ‘existential threat to Biden’s Europe policy,’ expert says
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The United States will ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people visiting from the United Kingdom and the European Union, according to the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator.
The United States will require adult foreign nationals to be fully vaccinated, Jeffrey Zients said on Monday.
“Beginning in early November, foreign nationals flying to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated – fully vaccinated and they must show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a US-bound airplane,” Mr Zients said.
Former president Donald Trump initially limited travel from China before banning countries from the Schengen Zone, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland. President Joe Biden’s administration had maintained these tight restrictions, which were put in place during the early days of the pandemic.
The European Union had initially said it was safe to travel to the United States but later removed it from the “White List” of destinations, along with five other countries.
White House expected to announce travel changes later today
The White House plans to announce an easing of travel restrictions later on Monday, multiple reports have confirmed.
Under the new rules, the United States is expected to let in adult foreign nationals from the United Kingdom and European Union as long as they are fully vaccinated.
Read more here:
US lifts travel ban for double-vaccinated UK and EU travellers
The United States will ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people visiting from the United Kingdom and the European Union, according to multiple reports.
White House says new travel rules will begin in November
The White House has officially announced its change of policy regarding incoming travel to the United States, and says the new rules could take effect as early as November.
“Beginning in early November, foreign nationals flying to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated – fully vaccinated, and they must show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a US-bound airplane,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters on Monday.
New travel rules will affect 33 countries, White House says
The United States’ new rules for incoming travel will affect 33 countries, the White House says.
“We will move to this much stricter global system, so we will have a consistent approach across all countries, it will require foreign nationals to be vaccinated, to prove they're vaccinated, and then to go through the testing and contract tracing regiments,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said.
Boris Johnson ‘delighted’ by easing of travel ban
Prime Minister Boris Johnson celebrated the United States’ new travel policy on Twitter, calling it “fantastic” news.
“I am delighted that from November, [President Biden] is reinstating transatlantic travel so fully vaccinated UK nationals can visit the USA,” Mr Johnson tweeted. “It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again.”
EU ambassador to US celebrates new travel policy
The European Union’s ambassador to the United States has welcomed the relaxing of the US travel ban.
Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis cheerfully tweeted the news on Monday, noting that the new policy largely reciprocates the EU’s policy for US travellers.
“Travel ban lifted!” Mr Lambrinidis wrote. “Vaccinated, pre-flight tested Europeans will again be able to travel to the US from November, just as vaccinated Americans are today allowed to travel to the EU.”
Long-distance couples overjoyed by lifting of travel ban
As the US announced the easing of its Covid travel ban on Monday, some long-distance couples took to Twitter to celebrate.
“My heart is even more full to be reuniting & closing distance with my soon to be husband this Sunday on my K1 visa now that the travel ban is lifting for the rest of the US,” tweeted a woman named Charlotte, who describes herself as one half of a US-UK relationship. “WE DID IT!!!”
EU diplomatic mission calls policy change ‘great news’
On Twitter, the European Union’s diplomatic mission to the United States has celebrated the news of the United States’ new travel policy.
“Great news on transatlantic travel,” the mission wrote. “#TravelBan lifted! Starting in early November, the United States will welcome vaccinated travelers.”
Airline shares take off as US relaxes UK and EU travel bans
Shares in the major transatlantic airlines soared after the US announced it was easing strict Covid-19 travel rules imposed by the Trump administration in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
The executive order, renewed by President Joe Biden when he took office, banned citizens from a number of countries from travelling to the US, including the European Union’s Schengen Zone, the UK, and Ireland.
Airlines have been pleading with the administration to lift the ban for months after the UK and EU both lifted restrictions on Americans.
Read more here:
Airline shares take off as US relaxes UK and EU travel bans
Shares in the major transatlantic airlines soared after the US announced it was easing strict Covid-19 travel rules imposed by the Trump administration in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
White House to hold press conference on travel policy shortly
White House press secretary Jen Psaki is expected to shortly begin a press conference covering today’s change of US travel policy. Watch it live here:
Psaki makes no mention of travel ban in first six minutes of presser
Jen Psaki took almost seven minutes to mention the White House’s change of policy on incoming travel to the United States, and chose not to announce it in her pre-Q&A announcements. About seven minutes into her presser, she did finally answer a question about it.
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