US will allow vaccinated British, EU travelers from November

The 18-month ban on British and European travelers to the United States is finally coming to an end.

From "early November," the White House will allow fully-vaccinated travelers to enter the United States for leisure reasons, the first time this has been allowed since March 2020. Travelers will still be required to show proof of negative COVID-19 test results in addition to proof of vaccination.

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The policy, originally introduced to stop the introduction of COVID-19 into the U.S. by President Trump was maintained by current President Biden despite the fact the United States now has by far the highest number of cases and deaths of any country.

Currently, only American citizens, their families and those with a limited number of special interest reasons such as diplomatic business can enter the United States if they have been in Europe (including the United Kingdom) in the past 14 days. This is despite the recent decision to allow fully vaccinated Americans to visit the United Kingdom without quarantining on arrival.

Although a negative test will still be required for entry to the U.S., fully vaccinated travelers to the United Kingdom no longer have to take a pre-departure test from October 4, and only need to take a cheaper antigen/lateral flow test on or before Day 2.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in the U.S. this week to meet with President Biden.

The news will be welcomed by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, whose long-haul route networks are traditionally dominated with flights to the United States. With only Americans able to travel freely across the Atlantic, these flights have been operating with low passenger numbers.