Covid-19 information: United States of America
Latest News: New York State will begin major reopening on 19 May; around-the-clock subway service resumes on 17 May; Connecticut and New Jersey will follow suit (Fox 5 News, 03.05.2021 ). President Biden to ban travel to, from India because of COVID-19 (Reuters, 30.04.2021). US adds 116 countries to its ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory list (Reuters, 22.04.2021). Travel restrictions between Canada, Mexico and U.S. will remain in effect until 21 May (KX News , 21.04.2021). France, U.S: Travel restrictions for vaccinated U.S. nationals will be progressively lifted from beginning of May (Deadline.com , 19.04.2021).
International Restrictions:
*Entry to USA: Since 16 March 2020, it is not possible for most British nationals to enter the USA if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, or China within the previous 14 days. On 30 January 2021, South Africa was added. Those arriving from outside these areas will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need.
US citizens and permanent residents of the USA, certain specified close family members and certain other limited categories of visas holders (such as UN staff and diplomats) are exempt. They will still be able to enter the USA, subject to normal entry requirements. Further details are on the US Embassy Website.
Since 26 January 2021, all passengers aged 2 and above arriving by air into the USA from any foreign country are prevented from entry unless they have either a negative pre-departure test result (NAAT or antigen), or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 provided by a licensed health care provider or public health official. It is recommended that you quarantine for at least 7 days after arriving in the USA, and to take a COVID-19 test (NAAT or antigen) 3-5 days after arrival. You can find the full announcement on the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website.
On 21 January 2021 President Biden signed an Executive Order requiring masks to be worn on aircraft, trains, buses and at airports.
Entry for Green Card and Current Visa Holders. New and renewed Green Cards (a Permanent Resident Card) are not currently being issued. However, existing Green Cards remain valid, although individuals who have been away from the USA for a substantial period of time should check their validity with their nearest US Embassy or Consulate before traveling. Further details are on the US Citizens and Immigration Services website.
Those with existing visas remain valid as long as the holders are in the USA. All current visa holders based in the USA wishing to travel to the UK or any other country covered by the Presidential Proclamation are strongly advised to check before they travel as to whether they would need an exception to re-enter the USA. The US authorities only consider applications for these once you have left the USA, so applying before travel is not possible.
Students travelling from the UK (and the Schengen Area and Ireland) with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel.
New Visas and Humanitarian Exceptions. The US authorities are only providing emergency and mission-critical visa services at present and visa appointments remain limited. Due to the impact of COVID-19, their visa services and travel restrictions may change rapidly. If you have an urgent need to travel, you can contact the US Embassy to ascertain if you might qualify for an economic interest, humanitarian, or other exception. However, the criteria for these exceptions are very strict and you should be ready to provide as much information as possible to support your application if you apply for one.
Further information is available on the US Embassy’s website.
*Quarantine requirements: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) requires all arrivals by air into the US to quarantine for at least 7 days, and to take a COVID-19 test (NAAT or antigen) 3-5 days after arrival. If you are travelling domestically within the US, individual states and territories have their own quarantine requirements. A full list of local quarantine requirements is available on the CDC website. You should check the list frequently as it is likely to change, sometimes daily, as rates of COVID-19 transmission increase or decrease.
*Transiting USA: You cannot enter or transit the USA if you have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, China, or South Africa within the previous 14 days. For further information, please check the advice from US Customs and Border Protection website. Those transiting to the USA from outside these areas will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. US citizens and permanent residents of the USA, certain specified close family members and certain other limited categories of visa holders (such as UN staff and diplomats) are exempt. They will still be able to enter the USA, subject to normal entry requirements.
As of 26 January 2021, all passengers transiting the USA by air will need to show either a negative pre-departure test result (NAAT or antigen), or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 provided by a licensed health care provider or public health official.
For further information please refer to the US Government’s travel page.
Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in USA: Many airports in the USA have implemented safety measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. You should check the website of the airport you are flying into or transiting to see how these could affect you. Some states have rules in place requiring travellers from other states, with high rates of COVID-19, to quarantine for 14 days or to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Before travelling you should check the websites of the relevant state governments. Further information can be found on theCDC website . A number of US states have mandated the use of masks and face coverings while in public. These will vary from state to state. You should consult the website of the state to which you are travelling. Contact details are found on the US.GOV site . Further restrictions will vary locally with some states relaxing lockdown procedures while others are pausing or reversing their re-openings. Penalties for breaches of regulations will vary between each state and may sometimes vary in different areas in the same state.
*Accommodation: Hotels are re-opening across the USA but will be operating at capacities dictated by local rules and regulations.
*Public places and services: Local regulations on shops, restaurants, bars, beaches and other leisure activities will likely be following measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. You should be aware that public places likely to attract large crowds may be closed at short notice. You should follow local media and any guidance issued by local authorities.
Self-isolation at own accommodation.
You are expected to quarantine for at least 7 days after arriving in the US, and to take a COVID-19 test (NAAT or antigen) 3-5 days after arrival. You can find the full announcement on the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website.
COVID-19 negative certification is required for entering the country.
As of 26 January 2021, all passengers aged 2 and above arriving by air into the United States from any foreign country will be prevented from entry into the United States unless they have either a negative pre-departure test result (NAAT or antigen), or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 provided by a licensed health care provider or public health official.
The Checklist
This is a list of things to complete before you can begin to build your club network.
Anything with an asterisk is required.
Club essentials
Anything with an asterisk has to be completed before you can build your network.
Club picture and profile
Non-essential but still important.
When other club members see your entry on ClubGuests, a good picture says a thousand words.
You can also add words - write a nice, short profile of your club. You don’t need to put reciprocal details in here.
Club management menu
This menu lets you build your club network, respond to incoming network notifications and incoming member verification requests.
You can also edit the club address details and the club administrator details.
Status bar
This provides information about your account and any network activity.
Club network table
This area shows all your club network connections.
From here you can add existing clubs and create new ones.
You can also make special offers and custom reciprocal agreements.
Links for your website
This is where you can copy the ClubGuests links for your website.
Your email!
We notify you by email when people interact with your club network.
- When someone adds your club to their network
- When a member wants to be verified
- When a club makes an offer.
You can manage all these items just using links contained in the email - and you don’t even have to log in!
Make a habit of checking your email regularly - and add "admin@clubguests.net" to your list of trusted email addresses.
Adding a reciprocal link
This list displays all the clubs on ClubGuests that you can link to.
If your target club is on the list, click the 'eye' icon and add a link to the club.
If it isn’t, click the 'Create a club and link' button at the foot of the table.
The club you add gets notified when you create a link.
The club you add is instantly available to your members so they can get a letter of introduction.
Only create links to clubs that have reciprocal agreements with you.
Confirming notification
When you confirm a notification, the source club will be added to your club network.
ClubGuests sends an confirmation email to the source club
Do not add a club unless you already share a reciprocal agreement.
Adding a reciprocal link
When you add a reciprocal link, the club gets added to your reciprocal links list.
ClubGuests sends an confirmation email to the club you linked.
The linked club can confirm, reject or report the reciprocal link.
Do not add a club unless you already share a reciprocal agreement.
Rejecting a club notification
Use this form when the club is known to you, but there is an issue with your reciprocal agreement.
Please provide full details for the rejection.
The club administrator of the source club is sent an email and both parties can then resolve the issues raised.
Letter of introduction
This letter is automatically sent out to a member who requests a visit one of your reciprocal clubs.
You must place and edit a letterhead. All images are resized to 100px height.
You must also add a signatory to the letter. Do not personalise this with member names, dates or anything else that is changeable.
All other parts of the letter are personalised and are not editable.
Update checklist text fields
This form allows you to update all the text-based fields on your Checklist..
Club home page
Add a link to your main club home page.
This is used on the ClubGuests feed page and allows your members to go to your club home page.
Club profile
This shows if your club is listed by another club on ClubGuests.
Your entry should summarise your club in a few short, easy-to-read sentences.
Club letter signatory
This text appears at the foot of your letter of introduction.
If you want your letters "signed" by someone else, enter their name here.
You can sign off the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’, or any other form of words.
You can also add a more informal PS.
Advice to members
When your members plan a visit to one of your reciprocal clubs, what advice do you give them?
For example, clubs may require notice before a trip is planned.
This advice appears at the top of your ClubGuests reciprocal club page.
Club default agreement
When members of other clubs visit your club, what are the basic facilities that you offer?.
You might offer all the facilities of the club, or a limited set of facilities.
You can override the default agreement for individual clubs.
Default offer
Use offers to attract reciprocal club members to your club who otherwise would not visit.
Offers can come in the form of reduced meal prices, reduced accommodation prices or anything else that might increase your revenues.
You can override the default offer with a special offer for individual clubs.
Offer expiry date
Your offer must have an expiry date, set in the future.
If the expiry date has passed, the offer will not be shown on your ClubGuests entry.
All other parts of the letter are personalised and are not editable.
Club letterhead
The club letterhead gives authenticity and authority to your letters on introduction.
The best dimensions for your letterhead image are 570px x 100px.
All images are re-sized to a maximum depth of 100px.
You can use your logo instead of a letterhead.
You do not need to include your address on the letterhead image.
Signatory
You can add your own personal touch to your letter of introduction.
You can also add the name and position of the club secretary, or whoever you want to be the signatory to the letter.
Existing club lists
This list contains all the clubs that have been entered into ClubGuests
You can sort the. table columns or instantly search the table for any text using the search box.
Some of these clubs may be members. Others may not be members.
Click the eye icon to see details.
If your club is listed, please liaise with the club administrator shown.
If your club is NOT listed, please join by clicking the Join ClubGuests button at the foot of the table.
Your club details
Enter your club details on this form.
Required fields are in red..
Members of clubs in your network will see these details, so you want to make it easy for them to arrange a visit with you.
When you complete this form, we will take you to the joining form.
Adding a special offer
A special offer is something you offer to visitors from another club for a limited time.
It is meant to be a means of increasing club revenues.
It overrides any default special offer you may be offering during the same time period.
If you want this offer to be in addition to your default offer, please also enter details of your default offer.
Offer expiry date
If you enter details for an offer, you must give it an expiry date in the future.
If the offer date expires, the special offer will no longer be shown.
The number of expired offers is shown in the status bar. You can edit these to reset the expiry date.
Offer status
If the offer status is completed, the offer will show, as long as the expiry date is valid.
If the offer status is other than completed, the offer will not show even if the expiry date is valid.
Send mail
You can send the offer details by mail to the other club administrator.
It’s best to do this once you are satisfied that the details are accurate. Otherwise the other club administrator will keep getting mails every time you edit the offer.
You can add a pesonalised message to the other club administrator.
Adding a custom agreement
You can add a custom agreement when your default agreement is not suitable for certain clubs..
For example you may have much closer ties with some clubs rather than others. For visiting members, you provide extra facilities.
Your custom agreement will override your default agreement for this club.
Agreement details
You only need to enter the details of the services YOU provide, not the other club.
Agreement status
If the agreement status is 'Completed', it will be displayed.
If you want to remove the agreement, set the status to Cancelled or Suspended. The entry will then display the default agreement.
Suspending a reciprocal link
You can suspend a reciprocal link at any time.
You might want to do this because:
- The reciprocal club is no longer functioning
- The reciprocal agreement between you is under negotiation
- There is no longer a reciprocal agreement.
Please provide a reason - and a remedy if appropriate - when you suspend the link.
The reciprocal club is notified by email when the link is suspended.
The reciprocal club cannot un-suspend the link.
The reciprocal club can only be un-suspended by the club that was made the suspension.
Visit your Manage Reciprocal Links page to view and edit suspended links.
Adding a reciprocal link
This form does the following:
- adds a reciprocal club and the club administrator.
- adds the club's reciprocal agreement - the services it provides to your members
- notifies the club that you are using ClubGuests to process letters of introduction.
The link will be listed on your reciprocal links page
Your members will be able to get letters of introduction
The reciprocal club does not have to be a ClubGuests member
Reciprocal links header
This is the introduction for your members to your reciprocal links network. It should explain and promote your network. It should also include any advice to members who want to visit a reciprocal club. It does not need to explain how to use the ClubGuests service, as we provide that information.