President Joe Biden has announced tough new travel restrictions for anyone trying to enter the U.S.

On Thursday December 2 the President confirmed all travellers aged two and over will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within a day before their departure. 

Biden did not confirm there would be any new quarantine restrictions but it is expected that these rules could be tightened even more after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it plans to toughen coronavirus testing requirements. 

The changes come into force after the emergence of the Omicron variant. 

From November 29, the US Government suspended entry into the USA for non-citizens who have been in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the USA.

The USA reopened its borders to holidaymakers on November 8, following a 20-month ban on arrivals from the UK and Europe. 

Anyone who was fully vaccinated with any Covid-19 vaccine approved for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is allowed into the country as long as they can prove vaccination status prior to entry. 

Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccine requirements, but they do need to test within two to five days on arrival to the US.