New 1-Day Testing Requirement To Enter U.S. Begins Monday

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Last Updated 3 years ago

New Restrictions In Place, December 6th.

The United States has updated its testing requirements for those wishing to enter the country, which affect both citizens returning home and foreign tourists. The changes center mainly around a shortened testing period before departure.

The previous testing requirement allowed vaccinated visitors and citizens to be tested as late as 3 days before departure. The new rules have shortened that period to one day, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.

Here’s a full breakdown of everything required to enter the US as of Monday, December 6th:

What Types of Vaccines Are Required For Entry?

For reference, ‘Fully Vaccinated' in this context means the passenger has received a full dosage of one of the accepted COVID-19 Vaccines 14 days or longer before their departure date.

The USA will accept vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization. This includes Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, two versions of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

Accepted vaccines are:

• Janssen/J&J – One Dose
• Pfizer/BioNTech – Two Doses
• Moderna – Two doses
• Oxford-AstraZeneca – Two doses
• Sinopharm – Two doses
• Sinovac – Two dose
• Covaxin – Two does

The CDC does not recommend combining different vaccines, however since many countries, like Canada for example who have widely mixed vaccines for their citizens, the U.S. stated it will accept combinations of these.

What Are The New Entry Requirements?

Fully Vaccinated US Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and US Nationals

• Must show a negative COVID test no more than one day before travel to the United States.
• COVID test must be a Viral Test
• Must wear masks on flight and in airport 
• Recommended COVID Test 3-5 Days After Arrival
• Recommended Self-Monitoring for COVID Symptoms

Testing is not required if the traveler is a child under the age of 2.

Non-Vaccinated or Partially Vaccinated US Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and US Nationals

• Must show a negative COVID test no more than one day before travel to the United States.
• COVID test must be a Viral Test
• Must wear masks on flight and in airport
• Recommended Test 3-5 Days After Arrival
• Recommended 7 day Self-Isolation 

Testing is not required if the traveler is a child under the age of 2.

Fully Vaccinated Non-Citizens

• Must show acceptable proof of full vaccination
• Must show a negative COVID test no more than one day before travel to the United States
• Must wear masks on flight and in airport
• Must NOT be entering from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zimbabwe 

Testing is not required if the traveler is a child under the age of 2.

Non-Vaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Non-Citizens

• Cannot enter the US unless specific Exemptions are met.

Omicron Prompting Restrictions Across The World

In the past weeks, the new COVID-19 variant, named Omicron, has been prompting nations across the world to implement stringent entry protocols. Many, including Israel and Japan, have closed to tourism completely. Others, like the US and UK, have brought back selective travel bans preventing visitors entering from select regions.

The US already blocked arrivals from eight countries in Southern Africa, where the initial cases of the strain were found. But as instances of Omicron appear across the globe, the Biden Administration has seen fit to add some further regulations.

President Biden noted in his 5 step winter protection plan that “We’re going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion, just like we beat back COVID-19 in the spring and more powerful variant — Delta variant in the summer and fall”.

As well as the new testing window, he also announced new plans for free testing in the US, or else funded by insurers, as well as some other domestic policies regarding COVID-19.

All travelers are advised to keep abreast of any potential changes. Restrictions can be extremely dynamic and can be adapted within a matter of hours. Always plan ahead. 

Read More

U.S. Issues 18 New Travel Advisories For December

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021

10 Countries To Visit That Do Not Require A Vaccine Passport

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