Here’s what you need to know about the new travel rules.
All travelers flying to the US must now provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken no more than three days before their flight, or they will be denied boarding.
The order was initially announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 12 and formalized in an executive order signed by President Joe Biden last week.
International travel is still down significantly from last year, but there was an increase in the number of Americans flying to beach locations like Mexico that didn’t require them to be quarantined upon arrival. This order is an attempt to reduce the risk of travelers spreading COVID-19 as new variants of the virus emerge and the country struggles to roll out the vaccine.
“We urge people to postpone their travels if they can,” Acting Assistant Secretary of Consular Affairs Ian Brownlee said Tuesday, “and if they absolutely must travel to equip themselves with information.”
Brownlee cautioned travelers will be responsible for covering their own accommodation and medical expenses if they test positive or cannot get a test while abroad.
“The bottom line is that this really isn’t time for people to travel discretionary, and all travel should be delayed until we get a better handle on getting this virus under control and speeding up our vaccination strategies,” CDC director said. the division of global migration and quarantine Marty Cetron.
Here’s what you need to know about the new travel rules:
Does the order apply to US citizens?
The order applies to all travelers aged 2 and over, including US citizens and legal permanent residents.
Which coronavirus test should I take?
Travelers can take a rapid test, PCR test, or a home test, as long as the sample is tested in the lab. Travelers must bring written documentation of the lab test result – on paper or electronically.
If I received the vaccine or tested positive for antibodies, do I need to take another test?
All travelers, regardless of vaccination or antibody status, must provide a negative COVID-19 test or recovery documentation.
What if I recently had COVID-19?
If you have proof of a positive COVID-19 test within three months and you are safe to end isolation, you can travel with documentation of the positive test and a letter from a healthcare provider or public health officer stating that you have permission to to travel.
What if my trip is shorter than 3 days?
You still need a test, but it can be taken in the US as long as it is within three days of your flight to the US.
Who checks the tests before I board my flight to the US?
Airlines are responsible for checking the negative test result or recovery documentation for all passengers before boarding. If the passenger does not have this, the airline will be instructed to deny the passenger boarding.
What do I do if I test positive abroad?
You need to isolate yourself and delay the trip until you recover from COVID-19.
Are there any exemptions?
The CDC said exemptions “can be granted on an extremely limited basis when emergency travel (such as an emergency medical evacuation) must take place to protect a person’s life, protect health from a serious hazard, or physical safety and testing cannot be completed before reaching journey goes. “
Do I have to quarantine when I arrive in the US?
There is no mandatory quarantine, but the CDC recommends that travelers get tested three to five days after the trip and stay home or quarantine themselves for seven days.
“Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days,” the CDC said. “If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay at home for 10 days.”
ABC News’s Conor Finnegan contributed to this report.