US Now Requires All Foreign Travelers to Be COVID-19 Vaccinated When Crossing Land Ports, Ferry Terminals
January 28, 2022 in News by RBN Staff
NOTE: REPOSTED DUE TO REPEATED REFERENCES ON LIVE SHOWS
Originally posted on RBN, January 22, 2022 10:58am CT
Source: NTD
People wear facemasks upon entry into the United States at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry in San Ysidro, California on November 7, 2021, one day before travel restrictions are lifted at the US-Mexico border. – The United States reopens its land and air borders Monday November 8 to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against Covid-19, ending 20 months of restrictions on travel from around the globe that separated families, hobbled tourism and strained diplomatic ties.
The ban, imposed by former president Donald Trump in early 2020 and upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has been widely criticized and become emblematic of the upheavals caused by the pandemic.
The restrictions were particularly unpopular in Europe and US neighbors Canada and Mexico. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
By January 22, 2022
Starting Saturday, non-U.S. travelers who wish to enter the United States via ferry terminals or land ports of entry at the U.S.–Mexico or U.S.–Canada borders must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced.
The land borders had been closed to non-essential travel for 20 months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-essential foreign visitors were allowed to enter the United States starting Nov. 8, 2021—including across land borders and ferry terminals—if they were vaccinated against COVID-19.
At the time, essential workers, such as truck drivers and nurses who were crossing land borders, were not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
The DHS said on Jan. 20 that the update in policy—to apply for both non-essential and essential travelers—”will align public health measures that govern land travel with those that govern incoming international air travel.”
“These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy,” Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
The requirement will not apply to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals.
Unlike air travelers, people crossing land borders or ferry terminals are not required to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
To enter the United States by air, foreign nonimmigrant travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. There are some exceptions that will allow the person to come in without needing to be fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
