USA updated this Monday the requirements of vaccination and covid-19 tests that will begin to be required for all travelers who want to enter their territory by air as of this November 8.
As anticipated, the guidelines establish different criteria for foreigners and citizens of the United States. Likewise, they clarify the case of those under 18 years of age and raise some exceptions for reasons of health and origin.
This is a summary of the new rules.
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For all foreigners traveling from this November 8, proof of vaccination total with any of the biologics authorized by the CDC or by the World Health Organization (WHO).
These include Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, Sinovac, and Astrazeneca among others. A person who has received two doses of the biological or one in the case of Janssen is considered fully vaccinated.
In order to board a plane, at least two weeks must have passed since the last dose.
Only valid ID cards will be accepted. vaccination issued by official authorities of the country of origin and the airlines will be in charge of verifying the passenger information.
Additionally, foreigners will have to present a negative test for COVID that is valid for at least three days and both PCR and antigen will be accepted.
Minors
Foreigners under the age of 18, that is, children and adolescents, for now they will not have to show proof of vaccination, but yes a negative covid test with three days of validity as long as they travel with a vaccinated adult.
If they travel alone or with an unvaccinated adult (in the case of exceptions), the negative test must have been carried out one day before the trip (24 hours).
US citizens
For American citizens or permanent residents who are vaccinated, the same rules apply.
That is, the proof of vaccination plus the exam with three days of validity. For unvaccinated Americans or legal residents, a negative test will be required 24 hours prior to travel.
The exceptions
In some particular cases, the United States will allow the entry of foreigners who are not vaccinated.
Among them, those under 18 years of age, those who are participating in a clinical study of a vaccine for covid-19, people with medical contraindications (who cannot be vaccinated due to adverse effects to the vaccine) and individuals who need to travel for emergency reasons or humanitarian reasons.
In the case of the latter, they will have to present a letter from the US government certifying that urgency, as in the case, for example, of requiring emergency medical treatment.
People coming from countries where vaccination rates do not exceed 10 percent will also be allowed, but as long as they demonstrate a compelling reason to travel and that is not for tourism purposes.
SERGIO GÓMEZ MASERI
EL TIEMPO correspondent
Washington
En Twitter @ sergom68
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