USA calling! Prepare for new travel guidelines and discoveries
The USA is now open for vaccinated travellers. Apart from highlighting the travel requirements to enter the United States which have recently changed, TTJ also explores some of the new experiences that are offered for the Indian traveller from coast to coast.
The United States flung its doors open to vaccinated international travellers recently welcoming many visitors who’ve been shut out of the country for nearly 20 months. Starting November 8, 2021, travel requirements to enter the United States have changed.
When arriving at a U.S. land port of entry or ferry terminal for non-essential travel, international visitors should be prepared to:
• Present proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website; and,
• Verbally attest to their non-essential travel and COVID-19 vaccination status.
Prior to boarding a flight to the United States, international visitors should prepare for:
Proof of Vaccination Requirement
International visitors to the United States must provide proof of full vaccination prior to boarding their flight to the United
States. Accepted vaccines include those that are FDA approved or authorized, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO). Individuals can be considered fully vaccinated at least two weeks after the last dose of an accepted single-dose series or any combination of two doses of an accepted two-dose series. Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the vaccine requirement, and other limited exceptions apply.
Testing Requirement
International travellers aged two and older are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than three days before travel. Both nucleic acid amplification tests, such as a PCR test, and antigen tests qualify. In a very limited number of cases, there are additional testing requirements for those who are exempt from the proof of vaccination requirement and documentation needs for travellers who can demonstrate recent recovery from COVID-19 in place of a negative viral test.
Contact Tracing Requirement
All air passengers to the United States are required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States for the purposes of contact tracing. This process is critical to detect and respond to variants of COVID-19, helping protect the public and international visitors.
Federal Mask Mandates
All travellers are required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while in airplanes, airports, and other indoor areas of public transportation while traveling to, within, or out of the United States. More information about the mask requirement is available from the CDC.
State and Local Requirements
Once international visitors arrive at their destination, individual state and local governments, as well as some businesses, may have their own health
and safety guidelines regarding masks, social distancing, vaccination status, and more.
More information on all the above and documents can be found in the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html)and the U.S. Department of State’s Frequently Asked Questions.
What’s new in these US regions
With the USA re-opening, there is so much more to explore in the country. And it is a difficult choice from the myriad of experiences that are offered for the Indian traveller from coast to coast.
Philadelphia
There have been a range of new hotel openings in Philadelphia between 2020 and 2021. In 2021, the city saw the debut of the Live! Casino & Hotel in the South Philadelphia sports
complex and in Center City, the new Element Philadelphia and luxurious W Philadelphia are now open, sharing a building and 45,000-square-feet of meeting and event space along Chestnut Street, just steps from popular downtown attractions.
There is also a range of new attractions to entice visitors to this dynamic city. After two decades of planning, design and construction, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has unveiled 90,000 square feet of new and reimagined public and exhibition space as part of the Frank Gehry-led Core Project. Adding to Philadelphia’s vast collection of art museums and innovative public art, the Neon Museum of Philadelphia offers permanent exhibits of historical and cultural information as told through this eclectic art form.
Virginia
This year brings some significant news to celebrate for the state of Virginia. A new property - ARCHER Hotel Tysons opened late in September, only the seventh property for the award-winning boutique brand that places major emphasis on local discoveries. For adrenalin-rush lovers, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced that Pantheon, the world’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster, will open in March 2022. The exciting new roller coaster will feature two inversions, four launches, five air-time hills, a 95-degree drop, a height of 55 meters, and a record-breaking top speed of nearly 120 km per hour.
San Francisco
From San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker to The Art of Banksy, even the Grinch will find something to celebrate in San Francisco. The San Francisco Fire Engine Tours are already ready with the
holiday sights and sounds from a vintage, open-air Mack Fire Engine with San Francisco Fire Engine Tours. It is an interesting way to celebrate the season with Christmas Carols and fun facts as you tour downtown San Francisco, the Embarcadero, and Union Square. The Art of Banksy, the largest touring exhibition of authentic Banksy artworks sourced from private collectors around the world—announced the San Francisco exhibition will be held at San Francisco’s iconic Palace of Fine Arts.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica, also known as Los Angeles’ beachside city, is not just renowned for the most spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean or over a century old Pier. Downtown Santa Monica is just 13 km from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a quick 20-minute cab ride away. The understated luxury that defines the city is also well evident with the new experience that the city has on offer- the Santa Monica Picnic Company which sets up a picnic in the sand, complete with blankets, a low picnic table, and string lights. They also put together a charcuterie board made up of items from local Santa Monica businesses and clients seeking some adventure can also add on a surf lesson. In addition to that, Santa Monica also has the new Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites located in the heart of the city.