White House plans ‘new system’ for international travel

WASHINGTON — White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday the United States is a developing a “new system for international travel” that will include new strong mitigation procedures like contact tracing. the administration does not plan to immediately relax any travel restrictions because of COVID-19 Delta variant cases. “We are exploring considering vaccination requirements for foreign nationals traveling to the United States,” Zients said. Coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday the United States is a developing a “new system for international travel” that will include new strong mitigation procedures like contact tracing. Zients told the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board Wednesday the administration does not plan to immediately relax any travel restrictions because of COVID-19 Delta variant cases. “We are exploring considering vaccination requirements for foreign nationals traveling to the United States,” Zients said. he idea was shelved, but top White House officials say that proposal and similar ones are still under consideration – including, potentially, a broader vaccine mandate that would include domestic air travel. “We’re discussing it,” Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, said about the idea of a broader requirement in an interview. “It’s on the table for discussion.”