US Bill Requiring Vaccine Passport for Air Travel

Charlie Immigration updates 13 September 2021 | Updated On February 16, 2024 | 0

The requirement to be vaccinated for air travel is gaining traction around the world as countries are gradually opening for travel again. Canada has said that it will make proof of vaccination mandatory for domestic flights and the US may soon follow suit.

As the United States continues to combat the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, a proposed legislation has been put forward that would require all airline and train passengers in the US to provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to travel.

While the US government has extended the mask mandate until 2022 there are currently no testing or vaccination requirements for domestic air or train travel.

However, this could change with the recently introduced legislation called the Safe Travel Act. It would require all passengers, employees, contractors, and subcontractors of Amtrak and commercial airlines to show that they have either been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested negative for the virus within 72 hours of travel.

Don Beyer, a United States Representative who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee stated that “requiring airport and Amtrak travellers and employees to provide a proof of COVID vaccine or negative test is just common sense.”

Americans want a return to normal that includes travelling for business or pleasure, and Congress can help make people comfortable travelling again by putting basic requirements in place that prevent the spread of COVID.
Don Beyer, a United States Representative

Despite leading the way with vaccinations at the beginning of the year, the US is now falling to one of the lowest vaccination rates of G7 countries, with just over 54% of the population fully vaccinated. The vaccination curve has leveled dramatically since an initial surge in the first half of this year.

A new map by the CDC depicting the risk of COVID-19 in countries across the globe shows the US is one of the riskiest places to visit amid the pandemic. It has a Level 4 “very high” designation as the Delta variant continues to sweep through the country.

Domestic travel is no doubt having an impact on the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The number of travellers almost reached 2019 levels over labour day weekend despite the CDC asking unvaccinated travellers to stay home.

Vaccine Mandate on Government and Private Companies

The spread of the delta variant in the US has upended progress the country has made toward suppressing the coronavirus, forcing many to reconsider travel plans, and as more governmental and private entities introduce vaccine mandates for employees including airlines.

United and Hawaiian airlines have instituted vaccine mandates, while Frontier and Delta require unvaccinated employees to submit to weekly testing, and Delta also requires they pay a $200 monthly insurance surcharge.

A proposal to expand vaccination or testing requirements for all domestic travellers would likely be met with pushback from the airline industry, even though proof of a negative coronavirus test is already required for international travellers, regardless of vaccination status.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below.

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