The White House announced it will remove COVID-19 entry bans for fully vaccinated international travelers, marking a significant step toward normalizing global travel as pandemic metrics continue improving nationwide.

The new policy, effective November 8, will apply to all international air and land travelers. Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer need to quarantine or route through third countries before entering the United States. The decision comes as COVID-19 cases nationwide have dropped 61% since September, according to exclusive New York Times data analysis.

National COVID-19 data reveals promising trends: daily new cases have declined 35% since September 1, with current infections averaging approximately 90,000 per day—a 40% reduction from August peaks. Hospitalizations and severe illness rates continue falling, while daily deaths have decreased 10% since September 20, marking the first sustained mortality decline since summer.

Globally, new cases have dropped more than 50%, suggesting the Delta variant surge may represent America's final major COVID-19 wave. Despite approaching winter—when colder weather and increased indoor gatherings typically elevate respiratory virus transmission—public health experts remain cautiously optimistic.

Seventy-six percent of Americans aged 12+ have received at least one vaccine dose, while Pfizer seeks emergency authorization for pediatric vaccinations in children aged 5-11. Approximately half the U.S. population may have acquired natural immunity through prior infection, according to epidemiological models.

"We're seeing schools, businesses, and public venues refine their prevention measures," said Dame Sarah Gilbert, co-developer of the AstraZeneca vaccine. "SARS-CoV-2 will likely become endemic, eventually resembling seasonal influenza in its impact."

White House assistant press secretary Kevin Muñoz confirmed via social media that the updated travel policy will apply to all international arrivals, offering streamlined options for vaccinated travelers. The move signals America's readiness to rebuild global economic and social connections after 20 months of restrictions.

With vaccination rates rising and testing capacity expanded, U.S. pandemic control measures appear increasingly effective—providing stronger safeguards for winter while paving the way for global tourism recovery.