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US confirms new Covid entry requirements

Air
James Chapple
13 January 2021

All air passengers arriving in the United States will be required to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure test for coronavirus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed.

US arrivals will have to show evidence of testing negative for Covid before boarding

The requirement will come into effect from 26 January, with the CDC also recommending arrivals isolate for seven days leaving only to seek an additional test after three to five days.


Pre-travel tests can be taken up to 72 hours prior to departure, with airlines tasked with certifying passengers’ negative Covid status prior to boarding.


"Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of Covid-19," said the CDC.

"This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans."