Unvaccinated Americans will face more testing for international travel under new travel guidance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration is easing restrictions for international travelers trying to visit the US but adds new screening policies for American travelers who are unvaccinated.

This new policy will replace the travel bans for non-citizens who have been to Europe, much of Asia and other countries within two weeks.

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The White House says international travelers will be allowed into the u-s if they are fully vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 before their trip.

The administration’s COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients announced the new policies of stricter testing, screening and contact tracing Monday.

Zients said under the new policy, foreign travelers will need to get tested within three days of their flights coming to the U.S.

These changes won’t affect domestic travel.

However, unvaccinated Americans who are returning from international travel will have to get tested one day before departure and when they arrive home.

Nonprofit group Travelers United supports vaccination for travel and believes this is a step in the right direction.

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“If they take the responsibility and they go out and get tested then they’re gonna be ok to travel even if they don’t want to get vaccinated. But they do get vaccinated, it’ll make it that much easier for them,” said Charlie Leoach, President and co-founder of Travelers United.

The White House says airlines will also be responsible for collecting contact information from international travelers for contact tracing.

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