Understandably, there is considerable confusion around travel restrictions. The facts:
USA:
The Current Facts (as of May 1st, 2023):
At long last President Biden has rescinded the senseless ban on unjabbed air travelers, stating in part (full statement here): "Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends".
This directly addresses inbound air travel, but due to US legal nuances does not directly address the DHS ban at land and ferry ports. Many have misunderstood this, but DHS came out almost immediately and clarified that land and ferry ports will be equally open to the unjabbed, stating in part (full statement here): DHS will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request
If you wish to read the Orders and Directives upon which the former ban on unjabbed travellers was based:
DHS and CBP Notification related to entry by land. (implements Presidential Proclamation.
CDC Order related to entry by air. (implements Presidential Proclamation)
Note: The TSA Directive had an expiry date of January 8th, then April 10th 2023 which led many to assume the travel mandates would drop. As we anticipated, they simply extend the Directives, at present until May 11, 2023.
It is important to note the TSA Directive is not the Order causing the ban on the unjabbed, but merely guidance to airlines on how to implement in daily practice. It is the Proclamation itself that needs to be challenged and changed.
Canada:
The Current Facts (current May 1st, 2023):
From the Government of Canada COVID -19 web page:
"For all travellers entering Canada by air, land or marine mode on or after October 1, 2022:
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests are not required
Quarantine after you enter Canada is not required
Using ArriveCAN is not required"
In Practice:
It's not something we're used to, but Canada got small-l liberal with travel edicts before the USA.
Other Nations:
This would turn into a very long confusing page if we tried to address each nation. In the spirit of "Why reinvent the wheel", the link below provides guidance for almost any country and in many cases, regionally within countries. Simply input your status and have a look at the nations you're interested in.
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