U.S. to Require International Passengers to Present Negative Covid Test Result

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention (CDC) issued an order requiring all passengers traveling to the U.S. on international flights to show written proof of a negative Covid-19 test  or documentation of recovery from Covid-19 after a prior positive test result prior to boarding flights to the U.S. The order is effective January 26, 2021.  Passengers must obtain the Covid-19 test within three days of traveling to the U.S. Additional information concerning testing, timing, and proof of recovery is available here.

The rule applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents, regardless of whether vaccinated. Air carriers have been instructed to deny boarding to any passenger who does not present written proof (paper or electronic) of a negative test result or recovery from the virus.

Note that proof of a negative test result does not exempt travelers from the regional and visa category bans currently in place pursuant to various Presidential proclamations. The bans prohibiting the admission of travelers from the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Ireland, China, Iran, and Brazil  remain in place with some exemptions. Individuals who are exempted from these bans and individuals who have been granted National Interest Exceptions to travel to the U.S. must still provide proof of the negative Covid-19 test result in order to travel to the U.S. as of January 26, 2021, consistent with the CDC order.   Individuals who are otherwise subject to the regional and visa category bans remain restricted, and cannot travel to the U.S. even with a negative Covid-19 test result.

For additional information concerning travel restrictions to the U.S., please contact your designated Gibney representative or email info@gibney.com.