The Biden administration plans to ease travel restrictions in early November that have barred much of the world from entering the United States since 2020.
However, clarification on the lifting of restrictions has not yet been released. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must issue a formal order and answer many specific questions about how the new rules will work.
Who can travel to the US?
The US will lift travel restrictions for 33 countries, including Ireland, for travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
However, travellers will still need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of departing for the United States.
Until the new rules come into effect, most foreign nationals who have been in the 33 countries for 14 days prior to departure cannot travel to the United States. Foreign nationals from all countries, with few exceptions, will need vaccinations to travel to the United States by air.
What vaccines will be accepted?
It is not certain what vaccines the CDC will accept as proof of vaccination or what form the proof must take. The administration told airlines on Tuesday that they were still deciding what vaccines will be accepted.
The CDC pointed to its prior guidance when asked by Reuters what vaccines it will accept. “The CDC considers someone fully vaccinated with any FDA-authorised or approved vaccines and any vaccines that (the World Health Organisation) has authorised,” said spokesperson Kristen Nordlund.
It is anticipated that airlines will check travellers documents to certify compliance with the vaccine rules. Currently, airlines check for proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travellers depart.
Irish holidaymakers
Since the announcement, there has been a surge of queries from Irish holidaymakers about travel to the US.
The Irish Times reported that the Irish-based travel agency Tour America's phones have been ringing off the hook since the United States announced a lifting of the blanket travel ban for foreign visitors from November.
Liz Wright, manager of Tour America, has said that the White House has given travellers the confidence to book for Christmas and 2022.
“There are people who have changed their holidays three or four times. People are happy to book now for summer next year,” she said.
