China News Service, November 8th. According to the New York Times report, on November 8, local time, the United States will lift the 18-month ban on international tourists. All you need to do is to present a vaccination certificate and a negative test for COVID-19. .

The United States will reopen soon. What are the requirements for the entry of passengers?

　　At present, the domestic passenger flow in the United States is close to the level of 2019, with millions of domestic passengers passing through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints every day.

In the next few weeks, millions more are expected to travel by air and land.

However, with the relaxation of epidemic regulations in some countries, other countries are tightening entry rules to curb a new wave of viruses.

Changing rules, rapidly changing epidemics, and lack of internationally coordinated travel regulations continue to make consumers—and many travel industry operators—confused and confused.

　　Passengers entering and leaving the United States may have questions about the complex regulations during the holidays. The New York Times has sorted out the relevant travel rules and summarized the following common problems:

Data map: Warning signs placed in the fourth terminal of Kennedy Airport in the United States.

Where can I do the tests required to enter the United States?

　　It can enter the United States with PCR and virus test results.

Vaccinated travelers must be tested within 72 hours before departure, while U.S. travelers who have not been vaccinated must be tested within 24 hours before departure.

　　Many hotels offer in-house testing for an additional fee.

If not, please ask the concierge or the front desk of the hotel for the nearest testing location to ensure that you get the results within the specified time.

　　Many pharmacies provide testing for travel, and most major cities have testing sites that do not require appointments.

The price of the test ranges from US$25 to US$150, depending on the country; PCR testing is more expensive and takes longer to produce results.

　　As a backup option, most airports provide new coronavirus testing, but it is expected to be expensive and there are many people in line, so be sure to go early.

Will the self-test results be accepted?

　　Yes, as long as the test meets several requirements.

The test must be an antigen test or nucleic acid test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use.

　　When doing the test, please make sure that your Internet connection is smooth, because you must connect to a telemedicine service to verify your identity and provide guidance during the test.

　　The FDA has authorized eight home tests, but not all tests provide online guidance and instant results.

　　Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag cartridge test reagent usually produces results within 15 minutes, and comes with a digital app called NAVICA, which helps to obtain results more easily and is helpful for travel.

Once you receive a negative test result, the app will generate a QR code, which will be updated every time you perform a new test.

On December 14, 2020 local time, a nurse at the Jewish Medical Center in Long Island, New York prepares to inject the new crown vaccine.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan

Do I need to hold a digital vaccine certificate to travel?

　　Although most countries accept the white paper vaccination card issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, places such as the Cayman Islands require digital certificates and impose quarantine restrictions on those who cannot provide them.

　　There are a variety of digital health passes available for travel in the United States, but be sure to check the requirements of the country you are going to before you leave.

The SMART health card is a verifiable digital vaccination certificate that can generate a QR code that only displays the personal name, date of birth and vaccination status.

It can be obtained in states that use the SMART health system, or through retail pharmacy programs.

　　CLEAR's Healthpass is another option, it can generate a QR code and vaccination details, including vaccine type and dosage.

CLEAR has partnered with the Hawaii Safe Travel Program to verify travellers’ COVID-19 test results or holiday certificates to meet the state’s isolation exemption requirements.

The app allows visitors to skip the verification team when they arrive in the state.

　　Several states, such as New York and California, have their own digital applications that extract data from the vaccination registries in these states, which can be used as proof of travel.

　　Although most countries will accept digital passes upon entry, some countries require tourists to apply for local digital passes to ensure that they can enter restaurants, bars and participate in cultural activities.

Switzerland was one of the first countries to take this measure last month. It requires all visitors from outside the European Union and the Schengen area to register for the Swiss Health Pass before arrival.

Do I need booster injections for international travel?

　　Not needed in most places.

However, with the emergence of new variants of the new coronavirus and increasing concerns about the weakening of the vaccine's effectiveness, some countries are setting vaccine "validity periods" for travelers.

　　Croatia and Austria are among the first few countries to introduce this practice this summer. These two countries only accept travelers who have received a second or booster shot within a year.

The vaccine is valid for 270 days, which is about nine months, for those who have received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Anyone who does not meet the criteria can also choose to submit a negative test result for the new coronavirus within 72 hours before departure.

The United States has no "validity period".

　　When Israel reopened to fully vaccinated foreign travelers on November 1, stricter measures were adopted, only accepting travelers who had been vaccinated in the past six months.

　　Many countries have stated that they are open to fully vaccinated travelers, but as the enhanced injections are promoted around the world, it is important to read the detailed rules to understand which vaccines are accepted and their expiry date.

Do I have to show proof of vaccination when flying in the United States?

　　unnecessary.

From November 8th, only those who enter the United States from abroad must present a certificate of vaccination and a certificate of a negative test for the new coronavirus within 72 hours before departure.

　　U.S. travelers who have not been vaccinated can travel, but they must show a new coronavirus test performed within 24 hours of departure when they return.

　　Masks are still required for domestic air travel.

Do children need to be vaccinated to travel abroad?

　　Each country has its own entry requirements, so please check the destination policy first.

　　Children under the age of 18 who have not been vaccinated can enter the United States if they are 2 years old, travel with vaccinated adults, and have been tested for the new coronavirus three days before departure and the result is negative.

　　If children travel alone or with unvaccinated adults, they must be tested within 24 hours of travel.

Are the rules for land crossings different?

　　Starting November 8, the land borders between the United States and Canada and Mexico will be reopened to foreigners who have been vaccinated.

Although tourists need to show proof of vaccination, there are no testing requirements for land transit.

Children under the age of 18 can enter the country when accompanied by a vaccinated adult.