The US has confirmed it will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travellers only from 12.01am on 8 November.
However, children under 18 will be exempt from the need to be vaccinated.
All passengers will also need to take a COVID test in the three days prior to boarding their flight to the US or have proof they’ve recovered from COVID within the previous three months.
The COVID test for travel to the US can be an antigen or a PCR test. Children from the age of two will also be required to present a negative COVID test.
There will be no passenger locator form to fill out, but airlines will be checking all documentation prior to boarding to make sure passengers have both a vaccination certificate, unless under 18, and a negative COVID test if aged 2+ or proof of recovery from COVID.
British citizens will also have to apply for an ESTA to travel to the US, as they did prior to the pandemic.
What proof of vaccination is required?
To be considered fully vaccinated, passengers will need to prove they’ve had both doses of a WHO-recognised vaccine, with the last dose given at least 14 days previously.
It will recognise a printed letter of confirmation from the NHS, and it seems likely it will also accept the digital NHS COVID pass, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Will the AstraZeneca vaccine be accepted?
There was some speculation that passengers who’ve received the AZ vaccine wouldn’t be considered fully vaccinated by the US as the country hasn’t yet licensed AZ for use on American citizens.
There was particular concern that those who’d received doses of the AZ vaccine manufactured in India would be refused entry, as Malta initially banned travellers who’d received a dose of three batches made in India (although it has since reversed that decision).
However, the US has confirmed that it will allow entry to anyone who has received a vaccine approved by WHO, even for emergency use-only, which applies to AZ. It has specifically stated that it will recognise the AZ vaccine, regardless of where it was manufactured.
