Planning to fly to the United States soon? Be prepared for more stringent testing requirements.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the test window for all international air passengers to be tested for coronavirus before departure from three days to one day. Previously, only unvaccinated travelers had to be tested within the day before travel.
According to the latest CDC order, the shortened time is intended to "reduce the chance of infecting the omicron variant before arriving in the United States."
Since the United States adopted new international travel restrictions on November 8, American Airlines has been required to collect the contact tracking information of inbound international passengers and send it to the CDC "on request."
The information collected includes name, address, phone number, email and date of birth.
Here is what international travelers should know about the new testing requirements:
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The new regulations came into effect on Monday and affect all air passengers aged 2 years and older flying to the United States from foreign countries, regardless of vaccination status or nationality. Passengers who can prove that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days are exempted.
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Passengers must undergo virus testing, including antigen testing and nucleic acid amplification testing, such as:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the test must be authorized to be used in the country it manages.
Although PCR testing is very popular, the results may take several days to return. Albert Ko, a professor of public health at Yale University, recommends that travelers take a rapid test accepted by the CDC to ensure that they get results in a timely manner.
Ko said that because testing options vary from country to country, "my recommendation is to make it very broad."
Some countries/regions provide rapid testing in local pharmacies. Passengers can also find them in the airport, but Ko warns that although these tests are convenient, they may be more expensive.
Ko himself will travel to Brazil this week and plan to do a quick antigen test at home, he can use it to return to the United States
Travelers should note that not all self-tests are eligible for entry into the United States. The test must be performed in the presence of a telemedicine supervisor and meet other qualifications specified by the CDC.
For those who want to learn more about their testing options, the airline website may be a useful tool. Many international operators provide information about test requirements and overseas test centers.
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Compared with the 24-hour time limit, the time of day provides greater flexibility and allows passengers to test at any time of the day before departure. For example, passengers on a flight at 5 pm on Friday can board the plane after a negative test at 8 am on Thursday.
The CDC recommends that all inbound air passengers undergo virus testing three to five days after arrival, and stated that unvaccinated passengers should be quarantined for 7 days after travel.
Yes. The federal mask requirement was extended to March 18, requiring passengers to wear masks on airplanes, trains, buses, airports and train stations.
Travelers who refuse to wear masks may face fines ranging from US$500 to US$3,000 for repeated offences, but the rule does provide exemptions for travelers under the age of 2 and certain persons with disabilities.
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Follow USA Today reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.