CDC rescinds order requiring negative pre-departure COVID-19 test prior to flight to the US

ATLANTA, USA, (CDC) – Air passengers will not need to get tested and show the COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has now shifted to a new phase, due to the widespread uptake of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the increase of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States.

Each of these measures has contributed to lower risk of severe disease and death across the United States.

CDC continues to recommend that those travelers boarding a flight to the US get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) and not travel if they are sick.

Before you travel

Steps to take before you travel:

• Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travel.
• Check the current COVID-19 Community Level at your destination.
• Make sure you understand and follow all state, tribal, local and territorial travel restrictions.
• If you have a medical condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you might NOT be fully protected even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Talk to your healthcare provider before travel. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.
• Consider getting tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel.

CDC recommends people 2 years and older properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation.

Do NOT travel if:

• You have COVID-19 symptoms.
• You tested positive for COVID-19.
• You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.
• You had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine.

COVID-19 vaccines for people vaccinated outside the United States

For the best protection, CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including people who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the United States. A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination when they have received all doses in the primary series and all recommended boosters, when eligible.

Specific recommendations for people vaccinated outside of the United States depend on whether:

1. The vaccine(s) received are accepted in the United States
2. The primary series was completed by
   • Receiving one dose of a single-dose accepted COVID-19 vaccine, or
   • Receiving two doses (or any combination*) of a two-dose accepted COVID-19 vaccine
3. A booster dose was received

*CDC does not recommend mixing different COVID-19 vaccines for the primary series but is aware that this is increasingly common in many countries outside of the United States. Therefore, for the interpretation of vaccination records, people who received a mixed primary series have completed the primary series.