The decision, announced by White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients, marked an abrupt shift for President Joe Biden's administration, which last week said it was not the right time to lift any restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases.
The United States will admit fully vaccinated air travellers from the 26 so-called Schengen countries in Europe including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Greece, as well as Britain, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil. The existing policy has barred non-US citizens who were in those countries within 14 days.
Americans travelling from abroad who are not vaccinated will face tougher rules than vaccinated citizens, including needing to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within a day of travel and proof of purchasing a viral test to be taken after arrival. British Airways CEO and Chairman Sean Doyle said the news"marks an historic moment and one which will provide a huge boost to Global Britain as it emerges from this pandemic".
Exceptions to the vaccine policy include children not yet eligible for shots. Reuters reported on Aug 5 the White House was developing vaccine entry requirements that could cover nearly all foreign air visitors.
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