USA holidays: Entry requirements from UK, ESTA, and Covid travel rules explained

As the school summer holidays approach, thousands of Brits are counting down the days until their holiday to the USA. Whether it's a week exploring the concrete jungle of New York, the beaches of California, or a fortnight in Florida visiting the Disney and Universal theme parks, there's so much to do and see in the United States for everyone.

Visitors to the USA are required to have a visa, known as an ESTA - short for Electronic System for Travel - valid for the duration of their stay, and may also have to follow stringent Covid-19 rules too - depending on the state they're visiting.

The UK Foreign Office says many airports in the USA still have Covid-19 safety measures in place and face-masks are still compulsory in certain states - but rules can vary. A statement on the UK Foreign Office website explains: "The guidance will vary from state to state and there can often be different rules within different localities in the same state. You should consult the website of the state or city to which you are travelling. Further details are found on the USA.GOV site. Penalties for breaches of regulations will vary between each state and may sometimes vary in different areas in the same state."

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Here is the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the US Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agency at the time of publication. It’s always worth checking the latest updates before you travel.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American government agency responsible for healthcare procedures and Covid rules in the US, you must be "fully