19 Apr 2022 | 07:59 PM UTC
US: Authorities lift COVID-19-related federal requirement to wear a facemask in airports, planes, other public transportation as of April 19 /update 38
US officials lift COVID-19-related requirement to wear a facemask in airports, planes as of April 19. Other requirements remain in place.
Event
As of April 19, officials in the US have lifted the COVID-19-related federal requirement to wear a facemask in airports, planes, and other public transportation settings. Authorities in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have indicated that they are no longer enforcing a rule requiring facemask usage on public transportation or in transportation hubs following an April 18 ruling by a federal judge. Multiple airlines and public transit organizations across the country have also announced they are no longer mandating that travelers and employees wear a facemask.
Other previously imposed COVID-19-related international travel restrictions remain largely unchanged by comparison with controls that were in place in mid-March. All international air travelers ages two and older, including fully vaccinated persons and US citizens, must present a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within one day before departure for the US. Alternatively, travelers can present proof of having recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days.
International travelers ages 18 and older, except for US citizens and nationals, legal permanent residents, and those traveling on an immigrant visa, must provide proof of having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only vaccines approved for travel are accepted; such vaccines include those produced by Moderna, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Novavax/Covovax, Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin, and Medicago.
The US only considers persons who have received the sole dose of a one-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel to be fully vaccinated.
Airlines must deny travel to those who fail to present a negative COVID-19 test result or to nonresident foreign nationals who do not produce proof of full vaccination unless covered under an exception.
Additionally, nonresident foreign nationals entering through land or ferry ports from Mexico or Canada are also required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of whether they are traveling for essential reasons. Pre-travel COVID-19 testing is not required for land or water travel.
Pre- and Post-Travel Guidelines
US authorities are maintaining risk assessment levels for travelers entering the country from international destinations. Under the current guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use a four-level system to categorize COVID-19 risk in countries and territories worldwide based on the number of cases in the past 28 days. Officials advise individuals in the US to follow the recommendations associated with the designated risk level for their intended destination; for details on these recommendations, click here.
Authorities at the federal or local levels could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national and local health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and appointments in advance.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - COVID-19 Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Travel Guidelines
US Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
