The U.S. Travel Association praised the Biden administration’s new policy proclamation moving away from country-by-country restrictions and adopting an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccinations to advance the safe resumption of international air travel to the US. In a statement, Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for U.S. Travel, said the guidance detailing how international air travelers can prepare for resumed travel to the United States starting Nov. 8 “provides much-needed clarity for planning.” Barnes said the association looks forward to “similar guidance in coming days for those qualified visitors who plan to enter via our northern and southern land borders as well.” As a result of a proclamation signed by President Biden, the US will implement a system that requires most incoming visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Airlines operating flights into the country will be required to check passengers’ vaccination status before they can board the plane. They will also have to keep personal information for contact tracing on file for 30 days so health officials can follow up with anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. To prove vaccination status, travelers must provide evidence of a vaccination from an “official source” having been received at least two weeks prior to departure. This includes any vaccines approved by U.S. health regulators.

Vaccinated travelers will also be required to have a negative COVID-19 test result within three days of departure. The new policy suspends the entry of unvaccinated non-citizen non-immigrants, except in limited circumstances.