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Non-citizens who are fully vaccinated can enter the U.S. starting Nov. 8, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
On Friday, DHS released a statement detailing that non-U.S. citizens will be able to start entering the country via land ports of entry (POE) and ferry terminals on that date. This new measure eases long-standing restrictions and bans on non-essential travel, which was consistent with COVID-19 public health guidelines.
"We are pleased to take another step toward easing travel restrictions at our borders in a manner that strengthens our economy and protects the health and safety of the American public," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas in the press release. "We continue working closely with our international partners to sustainably implement new rules for resuming travel."
Starting Nov. 8, once eligible travelers arrive at a U.S. land POE or ferry terminal, they must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, per the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, and state their reason for travel.
According to DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will share additional information about certain steps eligible travelers need to take to enter the U.S. under the new regulation. Any non-citizen attempting to enter the United States through illegal means or without appropriate documentation may be subject to deportation.
Travel restrictions within the U.S. began in March 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During this time, travel was limited at land POEs along the U.S. northern and southern borders unless it was essential travel including travel for lawful trade, emergency response, and public health purposes.
While the U.S. is reopening its borders, new studies regarding the COVID-19 vaccine are constantly emerging as more people around the world continue to get vaccinated.
On Friday, a new study by the CDC stated that "vaccination is over five times more effective at preventing COVID-19 than immunity acquired by contracting and recovering from the virus." The study, which was published in the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report discovered that vaccine-induced immunity was 5.49 times more protective than immunity from infection. The study included 187 hospitals across nine states.
"We now have additional evidence that reaffirms the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, even if you have had prior infection," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. "This study adds more to the body of knowledge demonstrating the protection of vaccines against severe disease from COVID-19."
Newsweek has reached out to CBP for further comment.
