- January 13, 2021
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CDC says Air Passengers should get a Negative COVID-19 Test to enter the US
Listen to this articleThe CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States effective 26th January 2021. The CDC says testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans. Point to be noted that variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world. There is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. The agency says the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as the US work to vaccinate the American public.
The agency said a required test combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel. It would help slow the spread of COVID-19 within US communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes. The passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3-days before their flight to the US departs. They should provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19.
So, airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. Point to be noted that the airline must deny boarding to the passenger if a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery or chooses not to take a test. The Director of CDC Robert R. Redfield said, “Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations”. It is noteworthy that this order was signed by the CDC Director on 12th January 2021 and will become effective on 26th January 2021.
