Frantic lobbying saw off a major threat to the resumption of family trips to the US last week.
Industry leaders welcomed the US announcement of the requirements for vaccinated travellers on November 1 ahead of the border re-opening from Monday, not realising children under-18 would have to self-isolate for seven days.
The information went undisclosed in briefings to the industry and media, but the US Passenger Attestation Form, equivalent of the UK Passenger Locator Form, made clear the requirement.
It required children under 18 to attest if “not fully vaccinated”, to “have made arrangements to be tested three to five days after arriving in the US” and “to self-quarantine for a full seven days”.
A leading UK aviation source declared it “a big blow to leisure travel” and revealed “a week of intense activity” followed, noting: “That unvaccinated children were free to enter but required to self-isolate had gone under the radar. It caught everyone by surprise. We flagged it to the US government. The UK government made representations.”
Confirmation came Sunday that “children under 18 who travel with a parent or guardian don’t need to self-isolate but need a test after three to five days”.
The US is due to reopen to fully-vaccinated international tourists on November 8.
The Biden administration has also confirmed children under 18, as well as visitors with some medical issues, will be exempt from the vaccine requirements. International travellers, including under 18s, will have to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test – antigen, PCR or Lamp – taken within 72 hours of departure.