The announcement by the CDC this week has brought many more questions regarding international travel. Here is the official statement from the CDC website: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an order on January 12, 2021 requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving from a foreign country to the US. This Order will be effective on January 26, 2021.” The full 9 page Order can be viewed here.
This news long overdue and something that the airlines have been requesting for quite a while now as a way to open up travel and borders at this time. According to an article published in AFAR magazine yesterday: “On January 4, Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the major U.S. airlines, submitted a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, asking that a testing protocol be used in lieu of the travel bans that are currently in place. ‘A well-planned program focused on increasing testing of travelers to the United States will be more effective than the blanket travel restrictions currently in place,’ stated Airlines for America, whose members include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines.”
Let’s dive into the questions I’m hearing most often regarding what this means for your vacation.
What documentation is required if I’ve already had COVID-19?
This applies to travelers who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the 90 days prior to their flight to the US. They must also present a letter from a licensed health care provider or public health official stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel.
What if I’ve already had part or all of the vaccine?
Great! You’re one step closer to keeping yourself and others safe. However, it makes no difference with the CDC requirement, all passengers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.
How do I get tested and get the results while I’m on vacation?
The US is far behind the rest of the world when it comes to testing. Did you know that there are some countries that require multiple tests of travelers over a 14 day period? Many tourist destinations are well prepared for this scenario, in fact Canada set up the same requirements for it’s citizens already. There are resorts throughout Mexico that are already set up to test onsite rather than guests having to seek them out.
Who pays for the test?
The testing fees are the responsibility of the traveler. Most tests are in the range of $50 – $150 per person, per test.
How long will the requirement be in place?
While there is a start date of January 26, 2021; there is no mention of an end date. I would expect we will continue to see this requirement until a vaccine requirement replaces it, most likely late 2022 from the projections I’ve seen.
What are the chances of a false positive result?
Results can vary, unlike many destinations that are only accepting PCR test results, the US will also accept the less accurate rapid result test. With regards to the PCR tests, there was a study out of the UK published in The Lancet back in September. They found that the probability of a false positive test was 0.8% – 4%; while the probability of a false negative was 2% – 33%. With that in mind, it’s much more likely that a false negative would be returned than a false positive.
What happens if I test positive?
“People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not provide a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.
What else is the CDC recommending when I return, even if my test is negative?
While not required, the CDC website recommends “travelers get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home or otherwise self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If you don’t get tested it’s safest to stay home for 10 days. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.”
As is expected, this information can change quite quickly. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. In the meantime, should you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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