The remaining country-based travel restriction placed on eight countries located in Southern Africa will be lifted on December 31, 2021. The ban was originally set on November 29, 2021, to give the U.S. time to better understand and prepare for the Omicron variant of Covid. The mutated Covid variant was found in the Southern Africa nations. As the variant continues to spread across the United States, the travel ban is no longer needed.

The eight countries include:

  • Botswana,
  • Eswatini,
  • Lesotho,
  • Malawi,
  • Mozambique,
  • Namibia,
  • South Africa, and
  • Zimbabwe

President Biden made the announcement citing evidence that current vaccines are effective at combatting severe disease from the omicron variant. In addition, omicron is present and spreading quickly across the United States.

Travelers from these nations to the U.S. must comply with current requirements.

Air Travel

Passengers need proof of vaccination available to the airline with the following detailed information required.

  • Matching name and date of birth on the vaccination documentation and personal identification.
  • The immunization record must have been issued by an official source, such as a public health agency or vaccine provider from within the country where the vaccine was given.
  • Full vaccination status as defined by the CDC requirements, including the use of a vaccine approved or authorized by the FDA or WHO on their emergency use vaccine list.
  • Dosage, location, and date(s) of administration will be reviewed and confirmed to be in compliance with CDC requirements.

The below documentation sources are considered acceptable proof of the Covid vaccine:

  • Verifiable paper or digital records, including vaccine certificates, digital passes, including those accessible through a QR code (such as the UK NHS Covid pass or the European Union Digital Covid certificates)
  • Non-verifiable paper documents including a paper document or Covid vaccination certificate issued by a national or subnational level through an authorized vaccine provider (such as the CDC vaccination card)
  • Non-verifiable digital records including digital proof of a vaccination card or record, a downloaded record or certificate from an official source, or a record shown through a mobile phone app without a QR code.

The CDC requires airlines and other aircraft operators to confirm proof of vaccination and review other required information for all passengers. If documents are not in English, individuals are instructed to verify with the airline or provider if a translation is required. Again, this is strongly suggested for individuals with documentation that is not in English prior to travel, at a minimum allowing enough time for the individual to have their documentation translated.

In addition, masks will continue to be required on airplanes, rail, and public transportation options through March 18, 2022. Fines for non-compliance will continue to be imposed ranging from $500 to $3,000 for repeat offenders. Masks will continue to be required within transportation hubs, including airports.

If you have questions about these new Covid travel requirements and how this can affect you or your employees’ visas, contact us at ILBSG. We continue to monitor ongoing travel requirements and offer our expertise and experience to ensure you get the right advice.

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