US to Allow Entry Only to Fully Vaccinated Travelers Starting Next Month on the 8th... Expectation of Resuming Entry for Chinese Nationals

Proof of Vaccination Required for Boarding Flights to the US
Canada and Mexico Borders Likely to Reopen
China Entry Restrictions Expected to Be Lifted After 1 Year and 9 Months

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States will allow only travelers who have completed COVID-19 vaccination to enter the country starting November 8. Until now, Koreans had to present a negative COVID-19 test result to board flights to the U.S., but from now on, proof of vaccination completion must also be submitted.

Kevin Munoz, White House Deputy Press Secretary, announced on Twitter on the 15th (local time) that "the U.S. will implement a new travel policy requiring vaccination for foreign travelers visiting the United States starting November 8."

Deputy Press Secretary Munoz explained that this policy applies to both air and land travel.

A senior White House official stated regarding the vaccines accepted for U.S. entry, "The CDC has already informed airlines that all vaccines approved by the FDA and those listed on the WHO Emergency Use Listing will be accepted."

According to this measure, the U.S. is also expected to allow travelers entering through the Canadian and Mexican borders.

The U.S. entry policy is strengthened compared to the previous requirement of submitting a negative test result before entry, but it is significantly relaxed in that there will be no countries banned from entry.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, the U.S. has regulated foreign entries starting with China. Although this policy was implemented by former President Trump, President Joe Biden has maintained it.

In particular, the U.S. faced heavy criticism for not allowing Europeans to enter the country despite Europe permitting entry to Americans.

Currently, the countries restricted from entering the U.S. include the United Kingdom, Ireland, European countries, India, Iran, South Africa, Brazil, and a total of 33 countries.

According to the White House policy, even those vaccinated with Chinese vaccines, which have been controversial regarding efficacy, will be allowed entry into the U.S. The U.S. has not approved Chinese vaccines.