IATA welcomes amendments made to U.S. COVID-19 travel restrictions
Posted: 21 September 2021 | International Airport Review | No comments yet
The International Air Transport Association approves the new decision to allow fully vaccinated travellers, with a negative COVID-19 test result, to enter the U.S. from early November 2021.


The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the decision by the Biden Administration to enable vaccinated travellers to enter the U.S. with a negative COVID-19 test result prior to travel from early November 2021. Importantly, this supersedes the so-called 212f restrictions, which prevented anyone from entering the U.S. if they had been in 33 specific countries including the UK, Ireland, all Schengen countries, Brazil, South Africa, India, and China within the last 14 days.
“Today’s (20 September 2021) announcement is a major step forward. Allowing access to the U.S. for those vaccinated will open travel to the U.S. for many who have been locked out for the past 18 months. This is excellent news for families and loved ones who have suffered through the heartache and loneliness of separation. It’s good for the millions of livelihoods in the U.S. that depend on global tourism and it will boost the economic recovery by enabling some key business travel markets,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Walsh further added: “This announcement marks a key shift in managing the risks of COVID-19 from blanket considerations at the national level to assessment of individual risk. The next challenge is finding a system to manage the risks for travellers, who do not have access to vaccinations. Data points to testing as a solution. But it is also critical that governments accelerate the global rollout of vaccines and agree a global framework for travel where testing resources are focused on unvaccinated travellers. We must get back to a situation where the freedom to travel is available to all.”
New report from International Airport Review: Securing Airports in an Evolving Threat Landscape
International Airport Review has brought together top voices from across the global aviation security sector, including International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ACI World, Fraport, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Winnipeg Airports Authority, and Smiths Detection to examine today’s most pressing airport security challenges and emerging threats.
This expert-led report provides a strategic assessment of the vulnerabilities facing airports in 2025, encompassing cyber-attacks, drone incursions, evolving geopolitical risks, and emerging technologies.
The result is a practical, insightful guide to strengthening airport resilience, anticipating risks before they escalate, and keeping your airport off the front page
Download the report for free and stay ahead of the security curve – READ FOR FREE NOW!
Related topics
COVID-19, Passenger volumes, Regulation and Legislation, Tourism
Related organisations
Biden Administration, International Air Transport Association (IATA)