US to Lift Ban for Fully Vaccinated Travelers from UK

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The White House issued a statement that fully vaccinated UK travelers will be able to visit the US from 8^th November. The move will mark the end of the blanket ban on foreign travelers from entering the country introduced by then-president Donald Trump in March 2020 due to coronavirus. However, the policy was announced last month but it wasn’t previously known when in November it would be implemented. The lifting of the travel ban is a major boost for the UK’s struggling airlines, airports, and travel firms. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office said that more than 3.8 million British nationals visited the US every year prior to the pandemic. A US-UK task force was launched in June with the goal of opening up travel.

British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said, “Nearly 600 days since the introduction of the US travel ban, this is a pivotal moment for the entire travel industry and finally provides the certainty we have so desperately needed. We can’t wait to welcome our customers back on board and reconnect friends and families across the Atlantic rebuild US-UK business relationships and reclaim Britain’s position as a leader on the global stage”. His counterpart at Vergin Atlantic, Shai Weiss said, “The UK will now be able to strengthen ties with our most important economic partner, the US, boosting trade and tourism as well as reuniting friends, families and business colleagues”. Foreign visitors arriving in the US by air will be required to show proof of vaccination before boarding a flight, and evidence of a recent negative Covid-19 test.

Travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated will continue to be prohibited from entering the country. The White House assistant press secretary Kevin Munoz also said, “The policy is guided by public health and is both stringent and consistent”. Point to be noted that new holiday COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges eligible people to get vaccinated against the virus and wear masks, in some cases, when gathering. The guideline says, “Because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible. Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated “. However, children in the United States who are 11 years old and younger aren’t yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.