may 11 us travel restrictions

The Title 42 Covid ban at the southern border may end on May 11

President Joe Biden’s decision to lift the public health emergency for Covid-19 on May 11, ending free tests and treatment for millions of Americans, may also mean the end for a controversial border policy that has been tied up in the nation’s highest court .

A White House official told NBC News on Tuesday that if the courts allow it, the Biden administration plans to roll back the Covid ban known as Title 42 on May 11. That means the end of the policy could come before the Supreme Court has ruled on a suit by Republican-led states seeking to keep it in place.

Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first invoked the Title 42 Covid ban during the Trump administration in March 2020, border agents have used it to deny migrants the right to enter the U.S. to claim asylum more than 2.3 million times.

Policymakers of both parties as well as Department of Homeland Security officials have widely predicted a large increase in the number of migrants crossing the border when the policy lifts, adding to the already record high of border encounters seen in the past year.

The Title 42 policy, as written, states that it may be lifted when the “public health emergency” is officially over or “the CDC Director determines that the danger of further introduction of Covid-19 into the United States has declined such that continuation of the order is no longer necessary to protect public health.”

The Biden administration previously tried lifting Title 42 via such a CDC order, which led to the lawsuit from Republican states, but will now be ending the policy by letting the public health emergency declaration expire on May 11.

A legal expert close to the case said that the Republican states might see that as an opportunity to sue again, arguing that this second path for lifting Title 42 also violates their rights. The expert said oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the first suit are still slated for March 1 and could have an impact on whether states try to block the administration’s latest push to lift the policy. 

A Justice Department spokesperson did not comment on whether the Biden administration would change its legal position in the lawsuit now before the court based on the plans to lift the public health emergency. 

To complicate matters, House Republicans voted Tuesday night to lift the public health emergency for Covid immediately rather than waiting until May 11.

The vote was a Catch-22 for Republicans, who want public health restrictions to end inside the U.S. while keeping restrictions on migrants at the border.

If the bill were to pass the Senate, which is unlikely, it would have the unintended effect of making it possible for the Biden administration to end Title 42 even sooner.

Julia Ainsley is the homeland security correspondent for NBC News and covers the Department of Homeland Security for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Carol E. Lee is the Washington managing editor.

Watch CBS News

CDC eases COVID vaccination rule on international travelers as expiration looms

By Alexander Tin

April 27, 2023 / 4:47 PM EDT / CBS News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved Thursday to formally loosen its COVID-19 vaccination requirement on foreign visitors, which will now allow some to board flights into the U.S. with only a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna. 

"Because some traveler vaccine records might not specify whether recent Moderna or Pfizer doses received were bivalent, CDC will consider anybody with record of a single dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine issued on or after August 16, 2022, to meet the requirements," the agency said in updates published Thursday to its website .

The agency said it chose August because it is the "earliest that travelers could have received a bivalent vaccine."

The change comes after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration decided earlier this month to simplify the COVID-19 vaccine schedule, allowing for most unvaccinated Americans to skip the original two "monovalent" mRNA shots many got early in the pandemic. 

Instead, virtually all adults are able to be "up to date" on their shots after getting a single "bivalent" dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, regardless of what they have or have not gotten previously.

Officials for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told stakeholders this week that they would also consider a single dose of these shots enough to be "fully vaccinated" under their requirements for healthcare workers.

"We note that if someone is currently unvaccinated, they can meet this rules requirements by receiving one dose of the new bivalent vaccines," CMS official Lauren Oviatt said Wednesday at a webinar .

The CDC's change come as a potential end to the requirement is nearing.

Multiple travel industry officials have said that the requirement on foreign visitors, which has resulted in a handful of high-profile spats over unvaccinated athletes and celebrities being denied entry into the country, is widely expected to be allowed to expire.

Many countries have already long-since eased or ended their vaccination requirements on travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration last moved to renew the rule earlier this month only through May 11 , the same day as the public health emergency is due to end.

The White House first ordered the requirement in October 2021. At the time, President Biden tasked Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra with recommending every month whether it was still needed. 

Asked whether Becerra has decided to end the rule, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said there was no update to share on the future of the requirement.

Alexander Tin is a digital reporter for CBS News based in the Washington, D.C. bureau. He covers the Biden administration's public health agencies, including the federal response to infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19.

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Most federal covid vaccine mandates to end May 11

U.S. will lift requirements on international travelers, federal employees and contractors, Head Start educators and health-care workers

The Biden administration will end its requirements that most international travelers, federal workers and contractors, health-care workers and Head Start educators be vaccinated against the coronavirus effective on May 11 — the same day it terminates the pandemic-related public health emergency.

The vaccine requirements, first ordered by President Biden in late 2021 , had sparked protracted legal and political battles, with Republicans saying the mandates were unnecessary — a position recently joined by a growing number of Democrats and public health experts as the pandemic threat has receded.

The requirement for federal workers has been blocked by federal courts since January 2022, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed the mandate for international travelers last week, considering anyone who received a single dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine after Aug. 16 as fulfilling it. However, the Supreme Court last year turned away a challenge to the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for health workers.

“Our Administration’s vaccination requirements helped ensure the safety of workers in critical workforces, including those in the health care and education sectors, protecting themselves and the populations they serve,” a White House statement says. “… We also put in place vaccination requirements for certain international travelers to slow the spread of new variants entering the country.”

Podcast episode

The requirements on international travelers had ensnared tennis star Novak Djokovic , who is unvaccinated and was forced to miss several U.S. tennis tournaments. The episode became a political talking point: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said he would be willing to bring Djokovic to Florida via boat for the Miami Open this year, in an effort to circumvent the requirements.

The Health and Human Services and Homeland Security departments will start their own processes to end vaccination requirements for Head Start educators, workers at health-care facilities that take Medicare and Medicaid, and some noncitizens at the land border, according to the White House statement.

Public health experts in 2021 had clamored for the requirements, saying that they were necessary to confront vaccine hesitancy and increase protections against a virus that was linked to tens of thousands of deaths per month.

“Patients shouldn’t have to worry that being in the hospital puts them at risk for serious disease. The best way to do that is to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with patients is vaccinated,” Ashish Jha, who later became the Biden administration’s coronavirus coordinator, wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post in July 2021.

But the requirements — which were mirrored by similar mandates from local officials and businesses — prompted resistance, with some federal workers, health-care employees and other individuals and groups suing to fight the rules, or being fired for refusing to comply. The vaccines also proved unable to prevent infection and transmission as the virus evolved, and public health experts have acknowledged that prior infections — not just vaccination — can provide protection against covid.

“A continuation of the vaccine mandate is no longer needed. Our country is in a very different place,” Katie Smith Sloan, president and chief executive of LeadingAge, an organization representing nonprofit long-term care providers, said in a statement. “And, whether or not a mandate is in place, there is no question that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the best defense we have against the virus.”

More than 81 percent of Americans are vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although interest in the vaccine and its boosters has waned over time; fewer than 17 percent of Americans have received the most recent bivalent booster shot.

Rachel Roubein contributed to this report.

White House Will End Covid Emergency, Border Measure in May

By Josh Wingrove and Riley Griffin

The White House will end a pair of Covid-19 emergency declarations on May 11, spelling the elimination of the controversial Title 42 restrictions and expulsion measures at the US-Mexico border.

The Covid-19 national emergency and public health emergency will be extended to that date and then lifted, the administration said Monday in a statement of policy on bills related to the measures.

The step is a milestone in a coronavirus response that dominated much of the early weeks of President Joe Biden ’s administration. The White House released the statement of administration policy in response to a pair of measures ...

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The Latest on U.S. Travel Restrictions

By Lauren Hard Oct. 19, 2021

• Share full article

What to Know: U.S. Travel Restrictions

Beginning today, international visitors who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can enter the United States by air or across the land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Here’s the latest →

The new policy ends an 18-month ban on nonessential travel from 33 countries, including China, Brazil and European Union members. The ban had affected tourists and those hoping to visit family and friends in the U.S.

The rules reorient the U.S. approach to vetting its visitors during the pandemic.

Instead of basing entry decisions on travelers’ countries of origin, the U.S. is focusing on vaccination status.

International visitors flying into the U.S. now need to show proof of vaccination before boarding and a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of their flight.

The three vaccines available in the U.S. — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — are accepted, as are vaccines cleared for emergency use by the W.H.O., including AstraZeneca and Covaxin.

Unvaccinated foreign visitors cannot enter the country, with limited exemptions.

Unvaccinated Americans returning home need to test negative for the coronavirus within one day of their flight and show proof they have purchased another test to take after arriving.

The hope is with these longstanding bans being lifted, the U.S. tourism industry will start to recover. The halt on travel caused a loss of nearly $300 billion in visitor spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

Keep up with the latest travel news, trends and feature stories.

Our Coverage of U.S. Immigration

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Undocumented Spouses:  A judge paused a Biden administration program  that could offer a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens, ruling in favor of 16 Republican-led states.

Biden’s Asylum Restrictions:  In the months since President Biden imposed sweeping restrictions on asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, the policy appears to be working exactly as he hoped and his critics feared .

Texas Stopped Busing in June: Gov. Greg Abbott’s program  forced Democrats to talk about the border. But a  dramatic drop in the number of migrants  has left the buses idle.

Citizenship Backlog Ebbing: The federal government has reduced an accumulation of applications  that built up during the Trump administration. New citizens say they are looking forward to voting in November.

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DHS Statement on the Lifting of Title 19 Requirements

Beginning May 12, 2023, DHS will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the end of the Public Health Emergency and the termination of the Presidential Proclamation on air travel.

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The U.S. President has ended the pandemic-related state of national emergency

• Post author: Andrew D'Amours
• Post published: April 27, 2023
• Post category: Travel news / USA news
• Post comments: 103 Comments

OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED: The United States vaccination requirement is ending on May 11 th at the end of the day! Most up-to-date post here .

The united states president has just ended the national emergency declaration related to the covid-19 pandemic, following votes by congress. first, biden had already announced that both of their states of emergency would end on may 11, so it’s not a huge development. second (and most importantly), this has nothing to do with their travel rules. so don’t get your hopes up too fast..

Logic would obviously dictate that their entry rule (the USA vaccination requirement ) be abolished at the same time as the public health emergency (the other state of emergency, which will end May 11). And that’s still the most likely scenario…

But at the same time, if they followed logic, they would have removed all rules a very long time ago already!

And they most certainly would include EVERY border in their vaccination requirement , which has never been the case all along as Flytrippers shared !!!

Here are the details about the USA state of emergency.

The current situation since November 2021

The U.S. vaccination requirement has been in place for almost 1.5 years. It was just extended once again to the theoretical date of May 11 th , 2023.

You can read our article on the USA vaccination requirement renewal for all the details ; I won’t repeat them here. It is really VERY exhaustive!

CONFIRMED (finally): The US is ELIMINATING its vaccination requirement

Before that, in 2020, the United States declared:

• A national state of emergency
• A state of public health emergency

Those 2 states of emergency have nothing to do with travel rules, but a lot of people have a hard time understanding this. So many people mixed literally everything together in terms of travel rules during this pandemic.

The end of the states of emergency announced on January 30

On January 30 th 2023, the American President confirmed that the USA’s 2 separate states of emergency would be lifted on May 11, 2023. He didn’t say anything at all about travel rules.

I repeat: that really has nothing to do with travel rules. Nothing. It’s that simple.

Travel requirements are something completely separate and distinct from the states of emergency. Just as they have been all along and as Flytrippers has told you for many many months.

So the end of the states of emergency, in and of itself, really doesn’t mean anything for travelers. The travel rules come from a presidential proclamation , not from the state of emergency.

But obviously, the end of the states of emergency is a good sign. It’s not guaranteed to end the travel rules, unfortunately. But it’s a good sign.

The new U.S. Senate vote on March 29

In the USA, both houses of Congress must vote to create legislation (the House of Representatives and the Senate).

Earlier this year, the House of Representatives voted to end the national emergency declaration (but NOT the public health emergency). And on March 29, in a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate also voted to end the national emergency declaration.

(This has nothing to do with the House vote to end the vaccination requirement , which still hasn’t been passed by the Senate!)

Biden was “strongly opposed” to this new bill but had confirmed he would not veto it.

The new law on April 10

Biden had 10 days (Sundays excluded) after the Senate vote to sign the bill into law. He took all the time he had and signed that into law today.

The national emergency declaration is no more. They didn’t change anything about the public health emergency, which is still in effect until May 11 th , as announced in January.

Most importantly, they have still not mentioned anything about the entry requirements for travelers.

As much as the rules themselves are illogical (very), it’s actually a simple concept really: every rule is a separate rule. The vaccination requirement will end when the rule about the vaccination requirement will be lifted (and we’ll let you know of course).

Really, this all has nothing to do with the USA vaccination requirement at all for now, unfortunately.

Absolutely nothing has changed since November 8 th , 2021 in terms of the USA vaccination requirement in fact.

The update on April 19 and April 27

Believe it or not… the USA has finally changed something about their vaccination requirement . It’s the very first change to the requirement since it was launched back in 2021. 

And the change is not to remove the requirement, or to stop accepting vaccines received over 2 years ago that scientifically have absolutely no effect anymore.

No, they have changed the definition of vaccinated to include 2 new 1-dose options.

The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and CanSinoBIO vaccines were the only ones accepted if you had only received 1 dose. Since April 19, the new bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are accepted even if you had just 1 dose. It really has to be the new vaccine though, not the old monovalent one from Pfizer or Moderna. 

On April 27, they tweaked it again to also accept all Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna as 1-dose vaccines IF they were received after August 16 th , 2022.

Weird that they would change that if everything is going to end in less than 2 weeks (as it really should)… 

The rules after May 11

Obviously, as I said, the logic would be that if both states of emergency are eliminated (as they will be on May 11), the entry rules can also be eliminated. So the end of both states of emergency is a good sign. It’s still good news (or bad news if you thought they’d get over all this faster than in May).

By far the likeliest scenario is the USA vaccination requirement being eliminated on May 11 th . It would be at the end of the day on the 11 th , so the 12 th actually (the public health emergency expires at the end of the day on the 11 th ).

We’re watching this for you; news should come at least a few days before ( sign up for our free newsletter for travelers to get all the updates).

Newsletter for travelers to get USA rules updates

But also… remember that President Biden said the pandemic was over… back in September 2022!

So actions are not always coherent and consistent, as has been the case since the beginning of the governmental response to the pandemic. Just like here in Canada, of course. So the May 11 th date is not guaranteed.

I let you reread the section on the “logic” of this rule if you are one of those who blindly believe that governments are always right.

The “logic” behind this renewal

Or read how the vaccination requirement doesn’t apply if you fly to the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas and then enter the USA by ferry , which is quite the science. Good luck justifying the logic in that one.

The state of emergency in the USA

If you’re interested, I’ll explain the January 30 th announcement and what the state of emergency is, or rather their 2 separate states of emergency.

As mentioned, in 2020, the United States declared:

It’s obviously outdated. But it’s still in place in 2023, for lots of political reasons.

The national state of emergency was set to expire on March 1 and the public health state of emergency was set to expire on April 11.

The President announced that he was extending both states of emergency until May 11… and that he would not renew them at that time.

(The word “emergency,” by definition, is not that compatible with predicting that it will be an “emergency” for another 4 months or predicting 4 months in advance that it won’t be an “emergency” in 4 months… but hey, that’s just politics like everything else in the COVID-19 rules for a while now!)

In short, it’s really mostly about their internal response to the pandemic.

The state of emergency is not directly related to the entry requirements for foreigners, which is a different presidential proclamation as I mentioned.

But we’ll obviously monitor that and let you know if the USA vaccination requirement is:

• Lifted on its current end date of May 11 at the same time as the public health emergency
• Extended even more (everything is possible in this hygiene theater)

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The United States has announced the end of its state of emergency. This has nothing to do with the USA vaccination requirement , so we shouldn’t be too quick to rejoice. We can’t assume that the entry rule will be eliminated as well, even though it is still very likely.

What would you like to know about the travel requirements in the USA? Tell us in the comments below.

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It seems that finally there is the green light for foreign travellers, can you confirm too?

Yes 🙂 https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

and here we have it ….

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/05/01/dhs-statement-lifting-title-19-requirements

“Beginning May 12, 2023, DHS will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the end of the Public Health Emergency and the termination of the Presidential Proclamation on air travel.”

Yep, confirmed 🙂 Post is updated!

I am a bit confused, so beginning May 12 will the non US travelers be able to enter the country by air ( airport) or only by land ( land port) ? Thank you! You are doing a great communication work

Yes it’s over 🙂 https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

It was truly my pleasure Maria! I’d love to keep helping you travel in the future as well! 🙂

You can thank us AND help yourself by using our links for you next travel credit card applications ( for Canadians and for Americans ). You’ll get a huge welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars in free travel!

Also, you can support us by signing up for our free newsletter (you’ll get great content), subscribing to our YouTube channel , and following us on your favorite social media ( Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Pinterest , TikTok ) and telling your friends about our website !

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 In plain English please,,, ( No longer need a vaccination to Enter?) this stupidity is finally over? We can all go see Mickey now ,

Do “land ports of entry” include also airports?

The rule for land entry has never been really explicitly updated at every renewal, it will be removed everywhere 🙂

I’m sorry Andrew for my previous comment. I haven’t red the last sentence of the news properly. It explains situation with regards to air travel 🙂

so this is the green light??!?! 12th of may? im sorry im shaking and crying.

Have just seen the news, vaccine mandate lifted from May 11th announced by the White House!! Am over the moon, thank you for the updates throughout Andrew; you kept my hope going!

Yep, the post was updated last night (refresh or Ctrl+F5 to clear cache).

It was truly my pleasure to help Will! I’d love to keep helping you travel in the future as well! 🙂

Hi Andrew, How to understand this fresh news? https://www.miragenews.com/why-us-still-require-covid-vaccines-for-996360/ Rather no place for a positive interpretation 🙁

Positive interpretation: they just aligned the vaccine requirement with the new CDC guidelines because they want to save face and at least pretend this is logical to end it on a good note.

The CDC specifically says this is for air travel only, so how does this affect land border crossings?

As the specifics of the land border rules were never easy to find, we can assume they remain identical to the rules by air.

Fingers crossed for us all like I have already said I have a holiday booked for 16th to Orlando , I have never checked online so much for updates …. Taking over my brain and at the same time burning it out , I read your posts everyday and sometimes I feel confident and then I read a negative one , really confused and don’t know how to think … but I am a positive person so shall try to stay that way ….. I have a week before I go to change my holiday which if need be would obviously be to another country , thank you for all your updates 🙌🏽🙌🏽 maybe you could let us know if you hear anything

At least according to that page: “… it will continue to require Covid-19 vaccinations for international travelers entering the United States via air travel, despite the expected end of the nation’s public health emergency on May 11, when most pandemic measures are anticipated to be lifted.” And the justification: “… is due to the ongoing risk the coronavirus poses to millions of Americans, particularly adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems.”

That was fake news, again 😛

Is this New???? So even after 11th May unvaccinated aren’t allowed to Enter even though the National Emergency will have ended????

No, nothing has changed in terms of the end date, nothing.

Thank you Andrew , I went into meltdown for a moment lol. I’m still preying for a change before Saturday as that’s my last possible day for amending our Holiday or losing it all together ☹️.

I would assume they would announce something this week! Let’s hope for it.

Loved the article, and now I’m only waiting for Biden to pronounce these words :” Air travelers are no more required to show a vaccine certification”

Hopefully very soon!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12034847/Biden-FINALLY-announces-COVID-vaccine-requirement-travelers-scrapped-11.html?ito=push-notification&ci=u077Uj_KEy&cri=jhIrH9l53O&si=qRAAknA6PVD5&xi=dd65fe8c-27aa-4478-a8ca-e6b7d26209f4&ai=12034847

it’s been lifted May 11!!!!!! please tell me I’m reading this correctly

It was truly my pleasure to help Kara! I’d love to keep helping you travel in the future as well! 🙂

Hi again, I see you say quite a few people have entered without being asked – did I get that correctly? Thank you.

Yes for sure.

Hi, Thank you for this article. I what form do the USA need the proof of vaccination? My daughter has a paper version (pdf or printed, not an App or phone version). Thank you.

Hi, Here’s what the USA officially requires in terms of proof (either of the 3 options works): -Vaccination certificate with QR code, digital pass via Smartphone application with QR code (e.g., United Kingdom National Health Service COVID Pass, European Union Digital COVID Certificate) -Printout of COVID-19 vaccination record or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued at national or subnational level or by an authorized vaccine provider (e.g., the CDC vaccination card) -Digital photos of vaccination card or record, downloaded vaccine record or vaccination certificate from official source (e.g., public health agency, government agency, or other authorized vaccine provider), or a mobile phone application without QR code

Hi Me again 🤦🏼‍♀️ I have managed to get an extension with regards to paying our Holiday balance before they cancel it completely ☹️, I only have until the 7th May to make a final balance payment on a large Family booking to Disney or we lose thousands of pounds!, one out of our 12 isn’t vaccinated, this is causing so much stress . As the payment needs to be made by Sun 7th May UK time, what is the likely hood of an announcement prior to this with regard to the proclamation being extended again? Or would they just say nothing then on the 8th say unvaccinated can travel by which time our Holiday would be ruined for the sake of 3 days! Thanks for any help

It’s safe to assume they would announce either the extension or the removal of the rule before May 7th. If they haven’t by May 7th, then before your deadline do the math on how much you lose if you risk it :S

so if it hasn’t passed the senate and isn’t likely to happen before may 11…why do you keep saying the requirement is ” likely” to end in May..

I’m stressing as I have a tripped planned very soon

I explain why here: https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/#End_date_for_the_USA_vaccination_requirement

Hi , I am too travelling to Orlando on 16th may from uk , family of 5 my son hasn’t received his 2nd vacianation so I understand your pressure , everyday I am checking for updates …. Arggghhhhh , I haven’t changed mine , I am quite hopefully after doing lots of research, but still not guaranteed, as a last resort I can change my hotel up till 5 days before we travel , so it would still be a loss as regards to flights , but kids are very excited so don’t want to cancel it all yet , very hard …. Good luck to you and your family

Is your son under 18? Vaccination requirement only applies to adults.

Hi there yes he is 21

Oh okay, that’s unfortunate 🙁 Let’s hope they stop this nonsense.

Thank you Gina , We can’t afford to miss that Deadline unfortunately as we will lose 30k , as we will be weeks away from travelling our only Alternative is to remove 4 members that are in one room and if the rule changes try to book them back in but then we lose the Disney Dining etc 🤦‍♀️, It’s very stressful and the Holiday Company aren’t really that helpful! So if we don’t know by the 7th we have to pull them out, Breaks my heart as we won’t get this chance again as a Family 😢. I really hope you are able to Travel and if so that you have a fabulous time, I think we all need it after the last few years tbh , 🤞 news is available soon as I can’t stand many more sleepless nights and worry.

Gina Have a wonderful holiday with your Family 😊, we will be heading there in July as a family of 12 soooooo Happy this has been resolved

Reading the news in Italy I was sure that from May 11 U.S. lifted all the restrictions for the unvaccinated foreign travelers, so much so that I was going to buy tickets for New York departing from Italy on May 12th. Luckily there are clear and competent articles like yours, I read this article a week ago and I understood that there is no certainty that from May 11 unvaccinated tourists will be able to travel to the U.S. Now I come to this page every day waiting for new updates (the update of April 19 did not seem comforting to me XD ). The idea of flying to New York on May 12 is still there, but I’ll wait for official news to proceed with the purchase of tickets and I hope they won’t let something know just a few days before.

Hopefully they’ll announce their intentions a bit earlier than during the last rule extensions!

Interesting past couple of days ….

Looks like the FDA updated the approved vaxx list. Looks like they unauthorized the monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. FYI – A monovalent vaccine is a vaccine with one strain of a virus. A bivalent vaccine is a vaccine with two strains of a virus.

“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines to simplify the vaccination schedule for most individuals. This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations. The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States.”

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines

This lead to the CDC to update the vaxx requirements to ender the USA as per this Twitter post / comparison of March to April 2023 https://twitter.com/LionAdvocacy/status/1648875911012315136?s=20

Now the question is …. most would likely have the older monovalent proof of vaxx – say 2020/2021. Does this now mean most vaxx’ers will NOT be not be allowed into the US as they don’t have the bivalent vaxx? Could this updated CDC list now hinder even those vaxx travelers who “think” they’re up to date?

Also news to me was both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines are single doses now vs. the double in the past (as per the CDC chart)

No, they didn’t removed any vaccines from the list of those accepted, they just added new 1-dose options (the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna). Wrote this up quickly: https://flytrippers.com/usa-state-of-emergency-pandemic/#The_update_on_April_19

The FDA actually did remove the monovalent Moderna & Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines from their authorized list for use in the United States – replaced with the newer bivalents. However, since the CDC is still aligning with the “Vaccines Listed for Emergency Use (EUL) by the World Health Organization” it’s sorta a mute point.

However, it would be interesting if the US decided not to include the WHO’s list in the future??

Seems unlikely, but who knows!

I’m just out of the San Juan ferry terminal. I can confirm I boarded the magical Covid puryfing ferry from Santo Domingo and no questions asked there nor here about vax status. The only downside its that it is a 15+ hours trip so you have to plan accordingly.

Quite the science, right🤡! I’m glad the USA didn’t just let you fly in directly, that would’ve been very dangerous for their citizens😂! Thanks for the testimonial. Enjoy the USA 🙂

Crazy! I love science! Lol

Were you then able to fly out from San Juan to the mainland US without any issues? Nobody asked questions?

There is zero doubt about this. The USA has NEVER had any requirement for domestic flights, it’s that simple. No one will ever ask you anything for a domestic flight, same as since the beginning of the pandemic 🙂

No issues at all. Once you are in you can move freely.

Hello, I do not understand very well. I know there is the loophole from the Bahamas to Florida with the Ferry but is this another loophole to get into the US without vaccine? If I come from Europe, where should I fly to get to San Juan? And how long from San Juan to the US with the Ferry? Where do you arrive in the US? Thank you.

Hi, this post explains everything about the 2 ferries that enter the USA and that do not require vaccination: https://flytrippers.com/how-to-enter-usa-without-vaccination/

Got a holiday booked to Miami on 4th June from U.K, really holding out that the rules change on May 11th! Thanks so much for keeping us up to date, this is the only page I’ve found that gives up-to-date clear information.

Hi, My pleasure. Thank you for following us! Hoping it will be removed on the 11th so you can enjoy Miami, I’ve been 30 times and love it. Especially during the pandemic when they have been over all this nonsense for a long time haha.

I know the feeling! I’m from Australia and have a trip booked to Disneyland for 7th June, so I’m keeping hope that it will be dropped next month too!

Aaah!! Merci pour les informations claires et cette explication détaillée! J’étais confuse après la lecture de différents articles sur le sujet… Malheureusement, malgré la qualité de votre article, je ne me sens pas en joie…😉

Ça fait plaisir. En passant, tous nos articles sont disponibles en français si tu préfères, l’option de la langue est toujours dans le menu 🙂

oh wow, im bilingual… mais je suis d’avis avec Ecoline Jolie… MERCI d’exister Andrew. Malgre les desagrements, vos articles sont coherents… objectifs… c’est rassurant d’avoir de l’information afin de se preparer a toutes eventualites. Encore merci et restons a l’affut! Bonne semaine a tous!

Merci à toi de nous suivre 🙂

I am so VERY thankful for your informed, rational articles. Thanks for all your hard work! (When will this madness end? Argh!)

Thank you for following us! Hopefully very soon!

Thank you for your updates! I also keep tracking this congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/185 . Is this bill related to that emergency amendment issued by TSA?

If so, I am more concerned after checking its progress, because it hasn’t even been passed in senate… I cannot imagine vax requirement needs to be extended again if biden does not sign it by May 11.

Hi, yes that is the one that would end the vaccine requirement itself. It would have to be passed by the Senate, then it could take up to 10 days (Sundays excluded) to be enacted, assuming Biden doesn’t veto it (he didn’t veto the end of the national emergency declaration for what it’s worth).

im so happy i found this site. im from Holland and have a voucher for a USA holiday, cancelled because of Covid. Its difficult to exactly understand everything around Covid in Amerika, we have zero rules.. Hope to visit 17th of May but waiting for green light to make a real booking. Thank you.

Hi, it’s simple really: according to the current rules, non-citizen adults can’t enter except through ferries from the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Until at least May 11th, end of day. What is a bit complicated is that the rules aren’t always enforced. But hopefully starting May 12th everyone will be able to enter and you can visit 🙂

Hi all I am also due to fly with my family to Orlando may 16th my son who is 21 has not had his 2nd dose , in uk now all the covid vaccine centres have shut down and most doctors are only now supplying the booster so it’s all messed up for us , I am hoping and praying it is lifted on the 11th , just out of interest what are peoples views as to wether it will be lifted on this date , ? Just need a little hope please I have twin daughters very excited about Disney

I think it’s likely to end, but it’s not guaranteed unfortunately. That said, your change/cancelation policy for your travel expenses may be worth checking into in case. Depending on your personal tolerance for risk.

Technically the land borders should be re-opening now. The law behind them states that Biden can do almost anything he wants with an order like this, BUT, he tasked the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) to carry out the order. The DHS legally can carry out an order like this only during a National Emergency, which as you stated has ended now. So Biden can keep it legally but task another department to carry it out – which he won’t do – so it should end. The DHS isn’t responding to requests on this (likely waiting for Biden to tell them what to do) which means the land border rule isn’t legal anymore. But since when have politicians cared about the law during covid? They break it and wait for judges to force them to stop.

Yeah, might be the case. But as of now, the government is saying that the vaccine mandate rules are still in effect by air and by land/sea. If someone were to contest it, it would probably take weeks for that to get anywhere, unfortunately.

There is a lawsuit against Biden (White House) going on right now from an individual in Tennessee. They are asking for an injunction and from what I’m hearing there’s a 50/50 chance that could happen. For those not familiar with US law an injunction is a temporary halt of the law, in this case the vaccine mandate. So if that is successful then it will be all over and we should know within 3 weeks.

I don’t agree with you, I think the mandate’s gone with today’s bill from Biden. All rules have been introduced because of the national emergency: every extension started with the title “EMERGENCY AMENDMENT”. There’s no more emergency because of this bill signed by the president, so it’s basically dead.

There is still a public health emergency, which may be why they are able to keep the vaccine mandate.

Hi – Just wanted to say they are still asking at the land border crossing today! Maybe it will take a few days for them to be told to stop but border guards are still asking as of 2pm April 11th.

They won’t stop asking until the requirement is lifted, which will sadly not be in just a few days, barring a sudden change.

Which land border did you get asked at ?

I’ve been following your posts for information on the requirements. I note your article says that the end of the covid emergency has nothing to do with the travel rules. I believe this is true only for air travel. As you may know, travel by land and ferry is not covered by the Proclamation and is in fact linked to the end of the covid emergency. Technically, the Proclamation only covers air travel, and not travel by land or ferry. That requirement is laid out by the Department of Homeland Security, and they used the covid emergency to instate those travel restrictions. So technically with the end of the covid emergency, the restrictions by land and ferry should terminate immediately, but as you have said before, nothing with this Administration makes any sense.

This article super helpful: https://brownstone.org/articles/visit-the-us-by-sea-or-land-if-not-by-air/

My understanding is that the vaccine rule can still be enforced since the public health emergency is still in effect. At least that’s what their government is saying, so if someone were to contest it, it would probably take weeks for that to get anywhere, unfortunately.

Looks like they’ve moved the April 11th to May 11th now https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/ea-1546-21-02c.pdf

Yes, here are the details: https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/

Thank you for continuing to provide updates and insights on this issue. I’m checking regularly for an update having seen news that Novak Djokovic will be attending the US Open this year.

Hopefully an update will come soon giving the close proximity to May 11th.

I *really* appreciate all your clear, succinct updates. Praying that this insanity will end soon, and won’t be surprised if it doesn’t.

My pleasure, being a traveler and being open-minded and exploring other countries to broaden my horizons and learn about other people’s points of view has logically always made me against discrimination in all its forms. Just being coherent really.

what are the chances of driving overand flying from Bangor?

Hard to evaluate chances. I would say almost all the many testimonials we received said the customs agents didn’t ask for PROOF (of course if they ask your vaccination status and you say you are not vaccinated, all customs agents will deny entry). Many agents didn’t ask anything at all (but some ask for vaccination status without asking for proof). So it’s definitely not 100%. Not sure if it’s different in different US states. I know you guys in the Atlantic region were veryyyy scared of COVID-19, so I don’t know if that would mean the customs agents in Maine would be more likely to ask or less likely.

Thanks for the update. As we are thinking of a Vancouver cruise departure in may, are you aware of the prescreening at US border control at Canada place? Are they turning away unvaccinated Canadians? Thanks

I would assume so, but maybe the cruise line can tell you more specifically.

Thanks will do.

I would like to know when travel restrictions will be lifted

Don’t we all? Our guide on the rules to enter the USA will be updated as soon as we know something. You can also sign up for our free newsletter to get all the updates in your inbox too 🙂

Maybe restrictions will end a bit sooner than expected? Biden said he won’t veto the bill to end the Covid Emergency restrictions early….I guess the question is how soon after will the border open to the pure bloods. https://www.axios.com/2023/03/29/congress-end-covid-emergency-early

Maybe, we’ll let you know as soon as there’s any indication for sure.

I suspected as much, but so appreciate this explanation of what may or may not happen. Your site is invaluable for many things – thank you.

Thank you for following us 🙂

Thomas Massie @RepThomasMassie · 17h Thank you @USTravel for vocally supporting H.R. 185 to remove the COVID vaccine requirement for international visitors flying to the United States. This bill will reunite families and promote commerce. Congress votes on H.R. 185 next week!

will you update us if this happens even b4 April 10th. I’m praying I can travel to the US with my 11 year old daughters team.

Hi, yes for sure we’ll write about any change! You can sign up for our free newsletter and join 95,000+ Canadian travelers who get all the travel updates (and travel tips and deals) in their inbox directly.

I’ve seen that April 10th has been extended til May 11th (transportation security administration) the emergency amendment. Have you seen this yet and does that mean still unable to cross?

Yes, it has been extended, here are the details: https://flytrippers.com/usa-vaccination-requirement-travel/ But to be clear, no, it does not mean you’re “unable” to cross, many have been doing for a long time since it’s not often enforced. And you are able to enter while following the rules, if you do it by sea from countries other than Canada and Mexico.

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