White House "Pursuing Entry Permission for Fully Vaccinated Individuals"

"No Immediate Implementation Plan"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The White House confirmed that it is considering allowing entry into the United States only for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, no final decision has been made yet, and it was explained that entry restrictions will not be lifted immediately.

Jeff Zients, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, said at a briefing on the 5th (local time) regarding reports that entry would be allowed for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, "Each department working group is developing plans related to this matter."

Zients added, "We will begin allowing entry when the appropriate time comes," but also explained, "Due to the recent increase in new COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, we are not ready to lift entry restrictions immediately."

The United States has banned entry of foreigners from China starting January last year due to the spread of COVID-19, and currently from the UK, 26 European countries, Ireland, India, South Africa, Brazil, and others.

If this system is implemented, nationals from countries whose entry was previously banned will be allowed to enter the United States on the condition of completing vaccination. Koreans are also likely to be subject to the same standards when entering the United States.

Currently, foreigners allowed to enter the United States must present a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the aircraft.

It is still unclear whether vaccination will be required when reopening the borders with Mexico and Canada, which are currently closed. There is also controversy over whether those vaccinated with Chinese vaccines or AstraZeneca vaccines, which have not received emergency use authorization in the United States, will be recognized.

A major foreign media outlet reported that the U.S. government is discussing this issue with airlines and predicted that it will take at least several weeks to several months before actual implementation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.