Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
US Moves Toward Requiring Vaccinations For International Visitors
Reuters: U.S. Developing Plan To Require Foreign Visitors To Be Vaccinated
The Biden administration is developing a plan to require nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of eventually lifting travel restrictions that bar much of the world from entering the United States, a White House official told Reuters on Wednesday. The White House wants to re-open travel, which would boost business for the airlines and tourism industry, but is not ready to immediately lift restrictions because of the rising COVID-19 case load and highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, the official said. (Shepardson, 8/4)
The Hill: US To Require Foreign Travelers To Be Vaccinated When Restrictions Lift
The White House official said that interagency working groups are currently working to develop a plan for “a consistent and safe international travel policy” that would involve a phased approach that would require foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. to be fully vaccinated “with limited exceptions.” Reuters first reported that Biden administration officials are developing the plan for international travelers. It’s unclear precisely when the U.S. will lift restrictions on travel from Mexico, Canada, Europe and other countries. The White House said in late July that it would keep restrictions in place, citing the delta variant. (Chalfant, 8/4)
AP: US Plans To Require COVID-19 Shots For Foreign Travelers
The Biden administration has kept in place travel restrictions that have severely curtailed international trips to the U.S., citing the spread of the delta variant of the virus. Under the rules, non-U.S. residents who have been to China, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India in the prior 14 days are prohibited from entering the U.S. All travelers to the U.S., regardless of vaccination status, are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of air travel to the country. (Miller, 8/5)
