Travelers to the U.S. Must Show Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test, Effective January 26, 2021

On January 12, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that individuals traveling to the United States will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test or recovery from COVID-19.

This order, which goes into effect on January 26, 2021, applies to all airline passengers traveling to the U.S., including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

The New York Times explains: “Passengers ages 2 and up will need to show documentation of a laboratory test result, in paper or electronic form that can be viewed on a smartphone, to an airline employee. Alternatively, people who have previously had a known case of Covid-19 can show official proof that they’ve recovered from their illness. Anyone who fails to provide these records, or declines to take a test, cannot board.”

Travelers must also attest to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel. The CDC is recommending that individuals in locations without convenient access to a COVID-19 test return to the United States before January 26 to ensure they will be granted entry.

For more information regarding the order, please see the CDC’s official announcement.