From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The United States Government has said beginning from November 8, 2021, only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to board United States-bound flights.  The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria announced the development in a statement made available in Abuja.  The United States said: “Beginning on November 8, foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required – with only limited exceptions– to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to 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 the 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 Organisation (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,” the United States added. The United States also said to further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travellers, whether United  States citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals, will have to show proof of a negative test within one calendar day of travel to the United States.