Biden Administration Updates Vaccination Rules For Entering U.S.

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Effective January 22, the U.S. government has updated its rules for vaccination status when entering the country.

Previously, all non-U.S. individuals traveling to the United States via air were required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, also had to test negative for COVID-19 within 1 day prior to departure. However, those traveling to the U.S. via land and sea did not have to comply with these rules.

So if, for example, someone living in Canada or Mexico arrived in the U.S. by plane, they had to show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test. But if they entered the U.S. by car, truck, etc., they did not have to follow those restrictions.

Effective this past Tuesday, the rules have changed. As per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

As of Saturday, January 22, 2022, vaccination requirements will apply to additional groups of travelers entering the United States at land ports of entry (POEs) and ferry terminals.

Beginning on January 22, 2022, DHS will require non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after their dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after their second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after they’ve received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
• 2 weeks (14 days) after they’ve received the full series of a Novavax (or Covovax) COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a phase 3 clinical trial; or
• 2 weeks (14 days) after they’ve received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

So now, non-U.S. individuals traveling to the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must:

• verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status;
• provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website;
• present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program Card, or Enhanced Tribal Card;
• be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection; and
• meet all other existing requirements for entry not related to COVID-19.

These rules are in effect for essential workers and individual citizens alike.

COVID-19 testing is still not required for entry via land or ferry port of entry at this time (which is kind of dumb, but hey, they didn’t ask ME, so…).

Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

Feature Photo: Pixabay

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