US Issues New Vaccine Requirements For Nigerians, Other Foreign Passengers

New travel guidelines lifting all restrictions on incoming passengers who are non-citizens have been released by the United States.

Though with few exceptions, the new travel guidelines compel passengers to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination before boarding.

Vaccines accepted include the FDA approved or authorised, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The latest travel update will be valid from November 8, a statement from the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section, said.

Moreover, those travelers who are unvaccinated, both citizens and non-citizens, are required to get tested within a day of the travel.

The press statement reads: “Beginning on November 8, foreign national air travellers to the United States will be required – with only limited exceptions– to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status before boarding an airplane to fly to the United States.

“This new global travel system replaces the existing country-by-country restrictions, putting in place a consistent approach worldwide.

“With the implementation of these new vaccine requirements, foreign national travellers who have been in one of the 33 countries with restrictions do not need to obtain national interest exceptions in order to travel to the United States.

“The CDC has determined that for the purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include those FDA approved or authorized, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“When it comes to testing, fully vaccinated air travellers will continue to be required to show documentation of a pre-departure negative viral test taken within three calendar days of travel to the United States before boarding.

“That includes all travellers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. For example, if a vaccinated traveller is travelling to the United States on Saturday, they can test from Wednesday on.

“To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travellers – whether U.S. citizens, LPRs or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to show proof of a negative test within one calendar day of travel to the United States.”