The United States has decided to require a negative Covid-19 test to re-enter the country after traveling to other countries. Citizens will need to take the test no less than three days before their journey back to the US and will need proof of their negative results. This will go into effect on January 26, and it applies to all international flights including private jets and charter flights. The rules vary from country to country, but generally they will check your results in the lobby before travelers go through security.
Although, this rule doesn’t apply to all circumstances. Children under the age of two, airline crews, federal agents, and members of the military traveling for duty are all excluded from the requirements. Additionally, a negative test is not required if you have tested positive in the past ninety days and are currently experiencing no symptoms. There may be exceptions for countries that have limited testing supplies, but no clarification what the protocol for that will be has been released.
This negative test applies to all other travelers, including those who have received a vaccination. These additional restrictions aim to discourage citizens from leaving the country, hoping the fear of getting a positive test will stop unnecessary travel. The CDC is hoping it will slow the spread of COVID-19. The CDC also recommends that travelers quartenteen for ten days after or take another test 3-5 days after entering the United States. Whether or not travelers follow the recommendations is up to them, but at least they will have had negative results before their journey home.