The Biden administration announced it will lift the restrictions on travelers from eight countries in southern Africa on December 31, 2021. Foreign nationals from Botswana, Eswantini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will be allowed to enter the United States on US-bound flights leaving after 12:01 am on December 31st.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the restriction be lifted because the existing vaccines and boosters have proven effective against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus causing COVID-19. Also, Omicron is now present throughout the US and globally. International travelers from southern Africa will not have any significant impact on the spread in the US.
Travelers from southern Africa will be subject to the same requirements as other foreign travelers coming to the US. They must be fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test within one day of departure to the US.
The develop is great news for those African travelers planning to attend the 2022 Safari Club International Convention. The 50th Anniversary event will take place as planned next month in Las Vegas, Nevada. “We hope for a mask-free convention experience, but SCI will keep our members and exhibiters posted on any changes in the protocols required by federal, state and local agencies,” says SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “While these guidelines are continuously being updated, SCI’s commitment to hosting the greatest celebration of hunting on the face of the planet has not changed. We hope to see you there!”
