Claire Nilson Talks to SHRM About U.S. COVID-19 Travel Policies

SHRM reported that the Biden administration plans to rescind the COVID-19 travel bans imposed in 2020 and replace them with vaccination and testing requirements to enter the U.S., beginning in November. The publication turned to immigration counsel Claire Nilson for insight on COVID-19 travel regulations.

Nilson explained that since early in the pandemic, travelers who had been in Brazil, China, the European Schengen countries, India, Iran, Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom during the preceding 14 days were banned from flying directly into the U.S. unless they were either U.S. citizens or green card holders or they first applied for and received exception waivers.

Regarding the anticipated vaccination requirement, Nilson noted “so far, the U.S. government has not clarified what will constitute suitable evidence of vaccination and which COVID-19 vaccines will be recognized beyond the three already authorized in the United States.”