Washington-On Monday, all international travelers flying to the United States must show a negative COVID-19 test no more than a day ago.
The new CDC rules took effect at 12:01 AM Eastern Time, only four days after President Biden’s announcement on Thursday.
Previously, international passengers were required to undergo COVID testing up to three days before flight departure.
President Biden said at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland: "As scientists continue to study Omicron variants, this stricter test schedule provides additional protection."
We verified the key points.
Who now needs to be tested before boarding?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this rule applies to all people who fly in from overseas—regardless of whether you are a U.S. citizen or not, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not. It is suitable for all people two years old and above.
Except for those who can prove that they have recovered from COVID in the past 90 days and have a doctor's certificate.
"Rehabilitation documents refer to paper or digital documents recovered from COVID-19 in the form of positive SARS-CoV-2 virus test results and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official stating that the person has been allowed to travel (I.e. recovered)," the order read. "Virus testing must be performed on samples collected within 90 calendar days before the flight, or at other intervals specified in the CDC guidelines."
Please keep in mind that the CDC spokesperson and the US State Department stated that the CDC’s previous order that all “non-US citizens and non-US immigrants” must be vaccinated to enter the United States is still valid.
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Will tests performed more than one day before flight departure be counted?
Can not. CDC requires testing within one calendar day, but not necessarily within 24 hours.
The agency stated: “By using a 1-day window, test acceptability does not depend on flight time or time to obtain test samples.” “For example, if your flight departs at 1 pm on Friday, you can Take a negative test for boarding at any time."
Are the types of PCR, rapid and at-home testing allowed?
CDC allows PCR testing and rapid testing, which are traditionally performed in places such as pharmacies and doctors’ offices. As for which test, the CDC says it must be authorized in the country where you left.
CDC said: "The test used must be authorized by the relevant national authority before it can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the country/region where the test is conducted." Ministry contractors, family members, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by DoD laboratories located in foreign countries, also meet the requirements of the order."
Keep in mind that the results of PCR tests sometimes take several days to return.
As for the test at home, the answer is yes, but the rules are stricter; for example, the test must be FDA-authorized nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test, and the telemedicine doctor of the test kit company will need to watch you. Detection.
CDC says that if you are considering a home test to travel to the U.S., you should plan ahead
The agency wrote: "Some countries may restrict the import of unauthorized or registered tests." "If you are considering bringing a U.S.-authorized test for use outside the U.S., please contact the destination authority for information before traveling."
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