EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE VACCINATED?
Yes, with some exceptions. Children under 18
don’t need to be vaccinated but they do need
to take a COVID test. Kids 2 and younger are
exempt from testing requirements.
WHAT ABOUT ADULTS WHO
AREN’T VACCINATED?Since half the world remains unvaccinated, and
vaccine distribution has been so skewed to rich
countries, the Biden administration is leaving a
loophole for people who live in countries where
vaccines are scarce. That list includes about 50
countries where fewer than 10% of people have
been vaccinated. Travelers from those countries
will need permission from the U.S. government
to come, and it can’t be just for tourism or
business travel.
The U.S. government says it will permit
unvaccinated international visitors to enter the
country if there is a humanitarian or emergency
reason, such as an emergency medical
evacuation. Those exceptions will be applied
“extremely narrowly” and require approval from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There could also be a medical exception, with
documentation from a doctor.
WHAT WILL AMERICANS HAVE TO DO?
Americans who are unvaccinated have to show
proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one
day of international travel. If you’re vaccinated,
you need to take a test within three days of your
departure, for both Americans and citizens of
other countries. This does not apply to flights
within the U.S.