Some COVID-19 restrictions remain for international passengers traveling to the United States. While most rules have been lifted, foreign arrivals must present proof of vaccination to enter the country.
However, starting May 11, international arrivals will no longer be required to be fully vaccinated, as announced by the White House this week.
This decision to lift the ban comes as the US prepares to end its nationwide coronavirus public health emergency on May 11.
Why is the US Scrapping the Rule Now?
“Our COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation, and our broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives,” the White House stated.
Now that the tide has turned, with the virus and hospitalizations related to COVID-19 having dropped by almost 91%, the government announced that these long-standing border measures are no longer necessary. Consequently, all travelers will be permitted entry without the need to provide proof of vaccination.
The requirement for non-US citizens to present proof of vaccination was one of the few pandemic restrictions still in place. Interestingly, it may have seemed like the rule had already been lifted, as many countries eliminated similar measures last year. This rule was initially implemented in the US in November 2021, and now the US and China are among the few nations still maintaining such restrictions.
Potential Impact on US Inbound Tourism
It is difficult to predict the exact impact of this policy update on US inbound tourism. While there could be a positive outcome, it is unlikely to create a significant boom. Notably, vaccine uptake worldwide is fairly high, with approximately 67% of the global population fully vaccinated.
When the US removed its pre-departure COVID-19 testing rule for incoming travelers back in June 2022, airlines reported a surge in interest for transatlantic travel. For instance, travel management platform TripActions documented a 23% increase in international flight bookings to the US just a week after the White House lifted the testing requirement.
However, the pre-departure testing was arguably more cumbersome than presenting proof of vaccination upon arrival, and thus less of a deterrent for travelers. Consequently, the more pressing barrier to travel this year remains the soaring airfares, with round-trip airfare from London to New York currently averaging about $630 in June. This surge is primarily due to rising fuel prices and staffing shortages across the industry. Furthermore, travelers are also dealing with inflation-related increases in overall travel costs.
