ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 10294ProclamationBiden · D

Proclamation 10294

Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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In simple terms

This proclamation revokes country-specific COVID-19 travel bans and replaces them with a vaccination-based system for international air travelers. Beginning November 8, 2021, most noncitizen nonimmigrants traveling to the United States by air must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with limited exceptions subject to CDC-determined testing, masking, quarantine, and vaccination requirements.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 59603

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 86 FR 59603

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Monthly HHS Secretary recommendations thereafter

  4. Unvaccinated excepted travelers must become fully vaccinated

  5. HHS Secretary first recommendation to President on continuation/modification/termination

  6. Proclamation effective date for vaccination requirements

Key directives

  • Revoke country-specific COVID-19 travel restrictions (Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199)
  • Suspend and limit entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants arriving by air, with exceptions
  • Require unvaccinated excepted travelers to agree to become fully vaccinated within 60 days of arrival or other CDC-determined timeframe
  • CDC Director to define accepted vaccines, full vaccination status, and proof methods
  • CDC Director to maintain list of countries with limited vaccine availability (<10% fully vaccinated)
  • HHS Secretary to recommend continuation/modification/termination within 60 days and monthly thereafter
  • Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure airlines enforce boarding restrictions
  • Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, and Secretary of Homeland Security to review and consider revising/revoking agency actions from prior proclamations

Who is ordered

Prior policyRollback

  • revokeProclamation 9984
  • revokeProclamation 9992
  • revokeProclamation 10143
  • revokeProclamation 10199

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • Revocation of Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199 (country-specific travel bans)

Near term (90d)

  • Effective date: November 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. EST for vaccination requirements
  • First HHS Secretary recommendation to President due by December 24, 2021 (within 60 days of signing)
  • Unvaccinated excepted travelers must become fully vaccinated within 60 days of arrival

Long term

  • Monthly HHS Secretary recommendations on continuation, modification, or termination
  • Potential revision or revocation of agency actions developed under prior proclamations

Risks & tensions

  • Vague 'as determined by the Director of the CDC' language delegates substantial discretionary authority without procedural constraints
  • Exception for 'national interest' determinations by multiple cabinet secretaries creates potential for inconsistent application
  • Monthly review requirement may generate policy uncertainty for travelers and airlines
  • Vaccination requirement for noncitizen immigrants referenced as handled 'apart from this proclamation'—scope of that parallel policy unclear from text
  • Definition of 'fully vaccinated' left to CDC Director, creating potential for future changes without further presidential action
Proclamation 10294: Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic · Executive Orders