US: Authorities to lift pre-travel COVID-19 test requirement June 12 /update 39

Event

The US government has issued orders to lift the requirement for travelers from abroad to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before traveling to the country. The directive lifting the requirement will officially enter into force at 00:01 June 12. The directive was in place for all travelers, including US citizens and fully vaccinated individuals, ages two and older.

Other previously imposed travel restrictions will remain unchanged.

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 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- 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