US: Effective March 10, authorities ease COVID-19 restrictions on arrivals from China /update 41

Event

Effective March 10, officials in the US have eased COVID-19 entrance restrictions for arrivals from China, and the Special Administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau; arrivals no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than two days before departure or show proof of recovery instead of a negative test. These requirements also no longer apply to people traveling from China to Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada and who plan to enter the US less than 10 days after departing China.

Other measures still apply; international travelers ages 18 and older, except for US citizens and nationals, legal permanent residents, those traveling on an immigrant visa, and others such as those eligible for asylum or individuals admitted as refugees must provide proof of having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only vaccines approved for travel are accepted; such vaccines include those produced by Moderna, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Novavax/Covovax, Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin, and Medicago.

The US only considers persons who have received the sole dose of a one-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel to be fully vaccinated.

Airlines must deny travel to nonresident foreign nationals who do not produce proof of full vaccination unless covered under an exception.

Additionally, nonresident foreign nationals entering through land or ferry ports from Mexico or Canada are also required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of whether they are traveling for essential reasons.

Authorities at the federal or local levels could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national and local health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and appointments in advance.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - COVID-19 Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Travel Guidelines
US Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs