LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: People with appointments stand in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site at Lincoln Park in East Los Angeles amid eased lockdown restrictions on January 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The California Department of Public Health has announced an updated COVID-19 vaccine delivery plan as the state has faced mounting criticism over a slow coronavirus vaccine rollout. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The White House announced Monday that the U.S. will open travel for all vaccinated foreign citizens in November, including those traveling from the European countries. The continent has been listed as part of the U.S. travel ban since March 2020.
“This new international travel system follows the science to keep Americans and international air travel safe,” White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said during the Monday briefing. “By requiring foreign nationals to be fully vaccinated in order to fly to the United States and in implementing additional strict safety protocols, we will protect Americans here at home and enhance the safety of international travel.”
“This is based on individuals rather than a country-based approach,” he added.
As the travel ban is set to be relieved, the proof of vaccination will be an important factor for the European travelers who will be allowed to fly to the United States again soon. Throughout the briefing, Zients stressed the effectiveness of the vaccines, saying that it is the “best tool” to ensure safe traveling.
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“This vaccination requirement deploys the best tool we have in our arsenal to keep people safe and prevent the spread of the virus,” said Zients. “Vaccines continue to show that they’re highly effective, including against the delta variant, and the new system allows us to implement strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Following the news, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted welcoming President Joe Biden‘s decision.
“I am delighted that from November, [POTUS] is reinstating transatlantic travel so fully vaccinated U.K. nationals can visit the USA,” Johnson tweeted Monday, shortly after the announcement. “It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again.”
E.U. Ambassador to the U.S. Stavros Lambrinidis also touted the decision from the White House Monday.
“Travel ban lifted!” tweeted Lambrinidis. “Vaccinated, pre-flight tested Europeans will again be able to travel to the U.S. from November, just as vaccinated Americans are today allowed to travel to the E.U.”
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