CDC Guidance for Travel Abroad

On Jan. 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. This requirement will go into effect on Jan. 26, 2021. Below is the latest updates we have received from our top travel suppliers.

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According to the CDC, air passengers entering the U.S. will be required to present documentation of a negative COVID-19 viral test (called a Qualifying Test) conducted within the 3 days before their flight to the United States departs.

Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.

Test Results Must State: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen
Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected.

Documentation may be paper or electronic copy and must include the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test.

Test results may be required to be shown again upon landing.

Alternatively, passengers may provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 with documentation of test results conducted during the three months preceding the flight’s departure from a foreign country.

Test results must state: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted.

Additionally, a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

Finally, all airline passengers will be required to present a simple CDC attestation form to the airline for collection prior to boarding. That form can be found here for reference.

For more information, you may reference the FAQs on the CDC website, which can be found here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What has changed?
On January 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. This requirement became effective on January 26, 2021.

Does this requirement apply to U.S. citizens?
This Order applies to all air passengers traveling into the U.S., including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

Does this policy apply to US citizens returning to U.S. from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico?
No. The CDC Order defines a foreign country as anywhere that is not a state, territory, or possession of the United State. Locations like Puerto Rico and USVI are considered within the United States according to the CDC definition.

Does this order apply to all flights or just commercial flights?
This order applies to all flights, including private flights and general aviation aircraft (charter flights). Passengers traveling by air into the U.S. are required to have proof of testing regardless of flight type.
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Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the U.S.?The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.