US to impose fully vaccinated rule for all border-crossers in January: Report

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The rule is likely to be instated by January 22, 2022
Those entering by ferry will also need to follow the rule
US nationals will be exempted but will have to get tested

Written By:Aman

Updated: November 23 2021 12:32:29 PM ET Washington D.C., DC, USA

United States will require all essential and non-resident travellers coming to the country through land borders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 beginning January 22, 2022. The new rule is designed to target individuals related to emergency response services, government officials and truck drivers.

The new rule, which was reportedly discussed in the White House in October, will align with the previously announced mandate, which requires leisure travellers to get fully vaccinated before entering the country, according to reports from Associated Press citing statements from a senior administration official.

The official added that those who choose to enter the country by ferry will also be required to abide by the new rule.

The rules pertain to non-US nationals. However, American citizens and permanent residents will still be allowed to enter the country without facing any vaccination requirements. A series of checkpoints, however, will aim to minimise the risk of infection through testing.

The Biden administration pushed the requirement for essential travelers by more than two months from when it went into effect on November 8 for non-essential visitors to prevent disruptions, particularly among truck drivers who are vital to North American trade. While most cross-border traffic was shut down in the earliest days of the pandemic, essential travelers have been able to transit unimpeded, according to reports from Associated Press.

The later deadline is beyond the point by which the Biden administration hopes to have large businesses require their employees to be vaccinated or tested weekly under an emergency regulation issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

That rule is now delayed by litigation, but the White House has encouraged businesses to implement their own mandates regardless of the federal requirement with the aim of boosting vaccination.

According to data released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 47 million adults in the country are yet to get their dose against COVID-19.