Restrictions on travelers to U.S. to be relaxed

The U.S. will ease foreign travel restrictions into the country beginning in November, allowing foreigners in if they have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test, the White House said.

All foreign travelers flying to the U.S. will need to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of flight, said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients, who announced the new policy Monday.

Authorities will also tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be tested within a day before departure to the U.S., as well as on their return.

Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine, Zeints said.

The new policy replaces a patchwork of travel restrictions first instituted by former President Donald Trump and tightened by President Biden that restricted travel by noncitizens to the United Kingdom, European Union, China, India and other countries.

Those travel bans had become the source of growing geopolitical frustration, particularly among allies in the U.K. and EU where virus cases are far lower than the U.S.

Airlines will also be required to collect contact information from international travelers to facilitate contact tracing, Zients said.

The announcement was welcomed by the air travel industry, which has lost significant revenues from the pandemic-related declines in international travel.