****Updated on November 10, 2020******
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March 20, 2020 (New York, NY) — To limit the spread of COVID-19, many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures including movement restrictions and quarantines. The United States has already enacted a series of travel restrictions, and it is fair to expect that new restrictions may be imposed with little warning.
Due to the global impact of COVID-19, many countries are strongly advising that people avoid travel. On March 19, the U.S. State Department warned American citizens not to travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, issuing the highest possible level of travel advisory. This Global Level 4 Health Advisory was lifted on August 6 as the State Department returned to its previous system of country-specific travel advisories. U.S. citizens are still urged to exercise caution if traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, and to carefully review the travel advisory specific to their destination.
This is a fluid situation, and things are changing rapidly. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has set up a webpage that addresses travel restrictions across the globe. The U.S. State Department has also gathered information on travel restrictions. You should refer to these pages before considering any international travel. You should also expect to be subjected to additional screening at airports upon arrival.
Non-U.S. citizens should confer with an immigration attorney to determine how any travel may affect your immigration status and reentry into the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website also provides regular updates as this situation develops.
In addition to checking your local municipality’s webpage to learn more about local travel restrictions or recommendations, these are some of the most likely relevant international travel restrictions that may affect you and your family:
United States: Entry to the United States is suspended for all foreign nationals who have visited China, Iran, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Brazil at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States.
American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their immediate families who have been in China, Iran, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Brazil at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States will be allowed to enter the United States through select airports where the U.S. government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.
Canada and Mexico: On March, 21, 2020, in coordination with the governments of Canada and Mexico, the United States implemented a temporary restriction on inbound land border crossing for all non-essential travel. Non-essential travel is described as travel for tourism purposes. This restriction is currently in effect until November 21, 2020, and does not apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States.
Europe: On March 17, 2020, the European Union (EU) announced a temporary suspension of all non-essential travel from third countries into the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom. This restriction does not apply to EU and Schengen citizens and their families returning home. The EU has since started gradually lifting restrictions for certain countries, but the United States is currently not on that list.
India: Effective October 21, 2020, all OCI and PIO cardholders holding passports of any country are now permitted to enter India. Foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose are also permitted to enter India, with the exception of those on tourist visas. All existing visas, except e-Visas, tourist, and medical visas, are restored. If the validity of such visa has expired, the foreign national may obtain a new visa of appropriate category from the Indian mission/post concerned.
For more information about specific travel to other countries not listed or for continually updated developments on new restrictions, please visit the Center for Disease Control website and the U.S. State Department website.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.