U.S. plans to require COVID vaccine for most travellers

Washington, August 5 (RHC)-- U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is taking the first steps towards requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, a White House official has said.

All travellers to the United States, regardless of vaccination status, are currently required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of air travel to the country.

The new vaccination requirement would come as part of the administration’s phased approach to easing travel restrictions for foreign citizens to the country, the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the policy under development, told several news agencies on Wednesday.

The official said the Biden administration, recognising the importance of international travel, wants to reopen to visitors from abroad in a “safe and sustainable manner.”   The official added there would be limited exceptions to the vaccine requirement.

No timeline has yet been determined, as interagency working groups study how and when to safely move towards resuming normal travel, the official said.   On Wednesday, White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters that a change in policy was not imminent.