The United States administration has finally decided to exempt EU vaccinated travellers as well as those from the UK, and Ireland from the entry ban, among others. The exemption is from 8th November.
The US administration initially made the announcement on 20th September, but did not specify a date. However, with only three weeks until the removal of the ban, there are many questions.
When will EU vaccinated travellers be able to enter the US?
The US entry ban will be removed on 8th November.
The decision was announced after travellers demanded an exact date. In their initial announcement, the administration only mentioned early November without giving a particular date.
What proof do I need to enter the US?
You will need: proof of full vaccination, proof of negative COVID-19 test within three days of departure and your ticket.
Which vaccines will be accepted?
In a press conference held on Tuesday, an EU Commission spokesperson said it is expected the US will permit entry for travellers who have been vaccinated with all EMA-approved vaccines. That includes the AstraZeneca vaccine although it has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yet.
“From our point of view, obviously, it would make sense for people who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca to be able to travel,” the spokesperson said.
However, the FDA has only approved Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen.
After days of uncertainty, it has now been confirmed that all those vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by the FDA, given above, and the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted as fully vaccinated. The WHO has so far approved the following vaccines:
- Moderna
- Pfizer/BioNTech
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
- AstraZeneca, including Covishield
- Sinopharm (Beijing)
- Sinovac
Will mixed vaccines be counted as fully vaccinated?
On 15th October, a CDC spokesperson confirmed all travellers vaccinated with mixed vaccines would be recognised as fully vaccinated. As a result, if you have had mixed doses you are exempt from the US entry ban.
“While CDC has not recommended mixing types of a vaccine in a primary series, we recognise that this is increasingly common in other countries so should be accepted for the interpretation of vaccine records,” the spokeswoman said.
Who will benefit from the removal of the US entry ban?
Covid-19 vaccinated travellers from the following countries will benefit:
- 26 Schengen Area countries,
- Ireland,
- the UK,
- China,
- India,
- South Africa,
- Iran
- Brazil.
According to the diplomatic mission of the European Union to the United States, travellers will also need to present negative test results. These must be dated from within 72 hours of departure.
