Flag

An official website of the United States government

Health Alert – Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
(January 19, 2021)  
5 MINUTE READ
January 15, 2021

Location: Worldwide – The  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  Director has signed an  order requiring all airline passengers traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), to provide  proof  of  a negative  COVID-19 viral test  or recovery  from COVID-19.

Event:   Effective January 26, all airline passengers  to the  United States  ages  two  years  and  older must provide  either  a negative COVID-19  viral  test taken within  three calendar days  of travel  or  provide  a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.   Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law,  to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.

See the CDC Proof of Negative Test Result page  to view the order, complete the attestation, and  to see  FAQs

Airlines  must  deny boarding to passengers  who do not  meet these requirements.

U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.

Actions to Take:

  • Monitor the CDC website for latest guidance regarding testing requirements
  • Check with your air carriers or travel representative prior to departure for the United States.
  • Check COVID-19 Country Specific Information updated information on COVID-19 related information including availability of testing.
  • Visit  travel.state.gov  to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
  • Visit the  Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
  • Click  here for our COVID FAQs Search Tool.

Assistance:
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter