When will we finally be able to travel to the United States again?
29 Nov 16:37
For more than two years, the globe has been gripped by the Coronavirus.
This also implies that transcontinental travel is no longer as easy as it once was, and significant restrictions have essentially rendered it impossible.
As a result, for many Italian tourists who are gradually feeling the impulse to depart, just one question remains: When will a carefree holiday in the United States be feasible again?
In the next piece, we will attempt to address this issue and look ahead.
The current situation
Traveling to the United States is currently very hard; nevertheless, a presidential decree issued at the end of January established an admission restriction for all Europeans.
However, the scenario is swiftly shifting again.
Since the development of vaccines against Covid-19, tourist travel to the United States has been primarily dependent on the success of national and international vaccination campaigns.
If you currently have a special permit to travel to the United States, you must still follow strict rules.
Travel the United States Today
Beginning in November 2021, vaccinated tourists will be permitted to enter the US from the EU, putting an end to almost two years of coronavirus travel restrictions.
This new restriction, however, only applies to persons who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination. This also eliminates the need for vaccinated Italian passengers to self-quarantine.
It should be noted that the United States does not accept all vaccinations as such.
To date, only those who have received the following vaccines are considered eligible for entry into the country:
- Pfizer Biontec
- Modern
- Janssen
The White House stated that the ultimate decision on whether vaccinations will be allowed would be made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC).
“The CDC considers an individual to be completely vaccinated if he or she has received any vaccination permitted or approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and any vaccine authorised by the WHO (World Health Organization).”
This list may then be updated depending on pending additions at both agencies (FDA and WHO).
Travel to the United States
A journey to the United States is today nearly impossible. Because a presidential decision put an entrance restriction on all European tourists on January 25, 2020.
This prohibition thus applies to all those who have spent the past 14 days in Italy, as well as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and other European nations before entering the United States.
This also applies to anyone who has visited another Schengen area nation.
There are, however, exceptions to this rule. First and foremost, all US citizens or permanent residents, as well as their family.
However, there are some exceptions for members and employees of international organisations and corporations.
Furthermore, there are several other factors to consider when visiting the United States.
When boarding, for example, everyone above the age of two must wear a mask. Furthermore, all passengers travelling must produce a negative Coronavirus test no more than three days ahead to their anticipated arrival date.
This test can be administered either electronically or on paper.
Long questions concerning covid, the place of stay, and the visitor’s whereabouts must also be filled during the journey.
Liberty International Airport, City of Newark, United States
The surveys differ depending on the destination airport. The completion of the aforementioned questionnaires is required for entry into the United States.
Following arrival in the United States, additional testing and quarantine regulations are in place.
These, too, vary greatly from state to state. You can get up-to-date information as a traveller from your airline or the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Of course, all visa-free visitors to the United States still require an ESTA.
Return to Italy
Returning to Italy is likewise subject to tight limitations. Entry may also be denied. This, of course, does not apply to Italian nationals. However, before embarking on the journey, every tourist must have a negative COVID test.
This test must be no more than 48 hours old.
Furthermore, everyone travelling from the United States must go to their destination as soon as they enter the country.
When entering Italy, he must enter fiduciary quarantine at the address specified in the form to be completed in flight.
In the event of symptoms, the appropriate authorities must be notified immediately. Again, the provisions can vary greatly from region to region.
A look to the future
For the foreseeable future, vaccination certificates, testing, and masks will almost certainly be included on flights to the United States.
If it is true that the scenario for admission into the United States is not ideal right now, the good news is that this has already passed.
Indeed, the United States will accept vaccinated air travellers from the 26 so-called Schengen countries in Europe, including:
- Italy;
- France;
- Germany;
- Spain;
- Swiss;
- Greece
Furthermore, the travel prohibition will be abolished for the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil.
There are several exceptions, such as youngsters who are not yet vaccinated.
Jeff Zients, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, announced the decision.
He did not provide a start date for the new guidelines, just saying “early November,” and many elements of the new policy are still being worked out.