Vaccine Required for All International Arrivals

[slavaskii 886]

Thought I'd upload this in a new thread considering it supersedes any issues with having a COVID vaccine during the medical assessment: (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/20/us-to-ease-travel-restrictions-for-foreign-visitors-who-are-vaccinated-against-covid.html). Earlier it appeared as if it replaced the existing bans (ie, only applied to Schengen, UK, China, etc.), but it no longer appears to be the case and will apply to everyone. I believe I saw it described as an "individual-based, rather than country-based, approach". 

 

I know there's no further information on this, but any speculation on if the K class will be treated differently? For those of us in countries where a WHO-approved vaccine is unavailable, it feels like the whole process has just hit a brick wall. My only thought is that this will only apply to "visitors", but then again you have the eternal technicality of K1 being non-immigrant. Not really sure where this leaves those of us who don't really have options. 

[HRQX 4,145]

***I have moved this topic to Coronavirus Covid-19 forum*****

[midwinterrose 275]

I can’t find any clarification if it will apply to LPRs or not.  I know LPRs were not subject to the travel bans, but I have a sinking feeling about this.  I guarantee it’s a trial run to require vax for anyone who flies—USCs included.

 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

13 minutes ago, radharose said:

for anyone who flies—USCs included.

No, because they know if it goes too far there would be swift blowback. Thus why they only plan "to test one day before" entering the US "and test again after returning" for unvaccinated US nationals: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/20/us-to-ease-travel-restrictions-for-foreign-visitors-who-are-vaccinated-against-covid.html

Edited September 21, 2021 by HRQX

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

11 minutes ago, radharose said:

I can’t find any clarification if it will apply to LPRs or not.  I know LPRs were not subject to the travel bans, but I have a sinking feeling about this.  I guarantee it’s a trial run to require vax for anyone who flies—USCs included.

 

 

The article says it will apply to VISITORS......but who knows.........I know that a bill has been introduced in Congress to require vaccination for anyone (excluding permitted exemptions) arriving or departing from any US airport......but I think that will create a lot of debate before becoming law.

[slavaskii 886]

I think the main problem is we really have nothing to go on apart from the official confirmation given today, but I've seen the words "visitors", "travelers", and "arrivals" thrown around interchangeably with this. If it solely applies to tourists, I guess there's not really much change, and is probably a welcome addition for many. But if it really affects anyone outside of the tourist/work/student realm, that would be horrifically bad. My fiancee can't get the vaccine in her country and it greatly upsets me that after 8 months of waiting, we're hit now with, "oh, we can adjudicate your petition, but you won't be able to step on the plane." 

 

I agree that if this goes overboard there will be pushback, but I don't think anyone really cares about people in our position. Lots of people in the US truly think not getting vaccinated is a personal choice that reflects some sort of immorality, which is ridiculous when half the world doesn't even have access to a WHO-approved shot. 

 

My concern is that I don't know how this will be enforced unless everyone is checked before getting on the flight, and if that happens, I doubt the agents will know what to do with the types of visas that could *potentially* be exempted. If it is a blanket requirement, literally all of Eastern Europe is now travel banned, save for the daring few who manage to get injected with Sinopharm. I get we'll have answers soon enough, but this has depressed me immensely all day. 

[Ellie_7 103]

I searched for clarification on "travelers," "visitors," "arrivals" and what I found doesn't have the answer.

 

Q    Yeah, just a technical thing on the international travel policy.  You talk about unvaccinated Americans; what about like green card holders, visa holders?  Would they — people who — you know, who under the current travel policy can get into the country, would they have to be vaccinated or would they have to do the testing protocol like Americans?

MS. PSAKI:  That’s a really good question.  I’ll have to ask what the specification is there for them.

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/20/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-september-20-2021/

[flicks1998 1,044]

It usually takes a few days to a week to get all of the details.  The way it stands now is that all foreigners coming to the US will be required to be vaccinated.  Whether there are "exception" groups remains to be seen and likely be announced soon.

 

Since the US wont ban US citizens or PRs from entering the country, US citizens and PRs will both be allowed to enter.  USC's and PRs who are vaccinated will need to take a Covid test within 3 days of entering the US, whereas unvaccinated USC's and PR's will have to take a test within 1 day of their departure to the US and another test after arrival.  More details on that Im sure will also come out in a few days.

Edited September 21, 2021 by flicks1998

[slavaskii 886]

9 hours ago, Ellie_7 said:

I searched for clarification on "travelers," "visitors," "arrivals" and what I found doesn't have the answer.

 

Q    Yeah, just a technical thing on the international travel policy.  You talk about unvaccinated Americans; what about like green card holders, visa holders?  Would they — people who — you know, who under the current travel policy can get into the country, would they have to be vaccinated or would they have to do the testing protocol like Americans?

MS. PSAKI:  That’s a really good question.  I’ll have to ask what the specification is there for them.

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/20/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-september-20-2021/

Ugh, this is such a headache. I would think that immigrants or "essential" categories would be exempt from this, as the whole goal seemed to open the country back up for tourism and general entry from the EU. This didn't seem to be billed as inflicting any additional pains on immigrants. I just hope we have an answer soon, because the wait is maddening. 

[Ellie_7 103]

 I found a couple of news articles saying that US citizens and permanent residents will be exempt.

 

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-b2a584a8b59c9aa08ae8852a30aa253d#:~:text=WHAT IS THE NEW POLICY,of departure to the U.S.

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.natlawreview.com/article/covid-19-travel-bans-to-be-rescinded-and-replaced-vaccination-requirements-us%3famp

 

I'm hoping to see some governmental source or website clarifying exactly how visa holders or permanent residents will be treated.