The United States is set to end its COVID-19 travel restrictions for foreigners who have been fully vaccinated.
The new policy will take effect from November 8.
This comes after the travel restrictions being in operation for almost 21 months, barring many from accessing the country.
White House spokesman Kevin Munoz took to Twitter to confirm the development.
“The US’ new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travellers to the United States will begin on Nov 8. This announcement and date apply to both international air travel and land travel. This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent.”
The White House declaration has since been welcomed by various individuals, including Sweden’s ambassador to the United States Karin Olofsdotter.
The new guidelines do not require foreign visitors or Americans entering the country to go into quarantine.
According to the White House, the guidelines kick off in a phased approach, with the first one starting in early November.
Phase one will allow fully vaccinated visitors to travel for nonessential reasons like visiting friends or tourism and crossing the US land borders.
The second phase will begin in early January 2022.
Initially, several presidential proclamations had established restrictions on the entry of certain travellers into the United States to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
The restrictions were first imposed on air travellers from China in January 2020 by Donald Trump.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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