U.S. Consulate On Planned Vaccine/Travel Policy

September 25, 2021

“Beginning in early November, all adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air must demonstrate proof of full vaccination against Covid-19,” the U.S. Consulate in Bermuda said, adding that further information will be provided as it becomes available via the travel.state.gov website.

airline airplane sept 25 2021 square

On September 20th, U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “In early November, we’ll be putting in place strict protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 from passengers flying internationally into the United States by requiring that adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States be fully vaccinated. Obviously, this is the conclusion of a policy process on that particular issue — an important one facing many people around the world.”

“The Biden administration has not yet indicated when in November the new rules will be in place,” the NY Times reported, adding that “the new policy applies to everyone who is not a U.S. citizen.”

The NY Times noted that, as far as on a worldwide level, the new policy will “severely limit who can enter the United States,” as unlike Bermuda — where all adults have access and the option to get the vaccine — many other people around the world do not.

Some low income nations have extremely limited access to the vaccine, with Our World In Data noting that as of now, “only 2.2% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.”

Screenshot from Our World In Data showing Bermuda compared to other continents/world areas

Screenshotgre

We asked the U.S. Consulate in Bermuda for comment, and a spokesperson told Bernews, “As announced by the White House on September 20, beginning in early November, all adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air must demonstrate proof of full vaccination against Covid-19.

“Fully vaccinated aircraft passengers departing from any foreign country with a destination in the United States will continue to be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days of departure [or written or electronic documentation of recovery from Covid-19 after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the form of a positive viral test result and a letter from a licensed health care provider or public health official stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel].

“Further information for visa applicants and U.S. citizen travelers will be provided as it becomes available and will be updated on: travel.state.gov. We have no further details to announce at this time,” the Consulate added.

As everyone knows, many Bermudians frequently travel to the United States for various reasons, including vacation, business, shopping, medical treatment, education, to compete in sports events and more, with the United States also used as a transit point for many locals, as we have to fly through to their gateway cities get to other nations such as those in the Caribbean.

As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, other nations are also formulating their travel policies, with the Canadian Government recently announcing that “the Government of Canada will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals meeting the conditions to enter Canada for discretionary [non-essential] purposes starting on September 7, 2021.”

As of the most recent vaccination statistics, 66.2% of Bermuda’s population has received two doses of the vaccine.

covid-19 divider 1

You can find more information on the links below from our dedicated website BermudaCovid.com, which is the most comprehensive resource and historic record available of Bermuda’s handling of the pandemic.

  • All Charts: Vaccine, testing & more here
  • Timelines: Dates of major developments here
  • Test results: Chart of testing stats here
  • Vaccine: Data covering vaccinations here
  • Dedicated website: BermudaCovid.com

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Comments (12)

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  1. Grateful says:

    Good someone needs to put the brakes on the unvaccinated

  2. Robert Daniels says:

    So once we reached heard immunity all policies will then target individuals moving forward.

  3. Rig says:

    The world is closing in on the selfish anti-vaxxers.

    Except Bermuda, when will you show some leadership Burt? When will you do something that is in the interest of Bermuda, not just PLP voters?

  4. Triangle Drifter says:

    Nothing unreasonable or unprecedented there.

    Get vaccinated or be chained to the rock.
    Choices & consequences.

  5. Observer says:

    “GOVT HAS SAID THE GOAL IS 70%” Wrong goal. The goal should be 100% of those who will not be adversely affected by the vaccine.

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      “of those who will not be adversely affected by the vaccine”

      Thank you, Observer, for recognising that not all of the unvaccinated are conspiracy theorists

  6. Stay Calm says:

    Don’t worry too much about the anti vaxxers – it will make you bitter and lower your immunity. Be grateful you had the opportunity to save yourself and family from a deadly disease by taking the magic vaccine!

  7. Real Deal says:

    if Bermuda does not follow in this Vaccine/Travel Policy thing we could end up putting that air part to good use by become a transfer point that will all to make a transfer to their destinations this will lower travel cost as well. and put in a position to be trade partners with those countries that support our effort. only possible if we get the permission from the country that currently owns the air port that is

  8. Truth is killin' me... says:

    No overseas shopping for you!!!LOL

  9. Kathy says:

    People should not be travelling during a pandemic. Full stop!

  10. Suzanne says:

    If herd immunity was actually 70% we wouldn’t be going through this tragic outbreak since we are already at 69%! Both America’s Dr Faci and Bermuda’s own Dr. Carika Weldon, say that herd immunity against the Delta variant is 87%. To continue to repeat that it is 70% is only misleading our community.

    However, on the bright side, there will be no more incentive needed to get Bermudians vaccinated than telling them that they will be unable to travel to the USA or Canada without being fully vaccinated. I am sure our problems will be solved on the vaccine front very quickly!!