For the past year and a half, entry into the land of opportunity has been an impossibility for tourists and travellers who didn't have a valid reason. After the current US President Joe Biden held on to the entry ban imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump for a long time, the word is now out: the US is relaxing entry regulations! Already from 1 November this should come into effect. However, the entry permit for Europeans is subject to conditions.

USA relaxes entry requirements only for vaccinated persons

European governments have been pushing for the entry ban to be lifted for months. After all, US citizens have been allowed to enter Europe for some time now. In the US, on the other hand, only those who could show a US passport or green card were allowed in. Now it seems that a breakthrough has been achieved. Europeans from the Schengen area and Britons will be allowed to enter again from November, provided they have a full vaccination. In addition, those entering the country will have to present a negative test and give their consent to contact tracing.

As good as this news is, there are still some unanswered questions. For example, it is not yet clear whether all vaccinations will be recognised or only those that are also approved in the USA. This would then mean: USA relaxes entry requirements, but only for Biontech-Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson vaccinated. Also open is how contact tracing will be handled. Nonetheless, there is great joy among fans of America and tour operators, after all, this is a big step towards restoring global travel freedom. Of course, the airlines are also regaining hope. At Austrian Airlines, for example, the mood is so positive that 16 weekly flights to North America will be offered from November.