New USA Administration: New COVID-19 Travel Rules

During his first week in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that reinstated travel restrictions to combat coronavirus infections. Most were in place for much of 2020, but former President Donald Trump rescinded them a few days before the end of his term.

However, with the pandemic still raging in many parts of the world and new variants emerging, the new administration said this isn't the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel.

With the changing pandemic situation causing a lot of uncertainty, experts recommend consulting the latest restrictions as well as government websites of your planned destination to find out what measures are in place.

Following are the current rules and restrictions for travelers entering the United States.

USA COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

1) Unless subject to exceptions, foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during 14 days before travel may not enter the United States.

China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the

European Schengen area. This comprises 26 European countries, including Germany, Greece, Denmark, France, Spain, Latvia, Italy, Poland, Hungary and the Netherlands. South Africa was a recent addition to this list owing to mutations in the virus that appear to make it more contagious.

Exemptions from the COVID-19 travel ban include:

• Legal permanent US residents.

• Noncitizen nationals of the US.

• Noncitizens married to a US citizen or a permanent resident.

2) All travelers aged two years and over entering the United States from a foreign country have to get negative COVID-19 test results within three days of their departure. Before boarding a flight, passengers have to provide proof of a negative test result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. They are also required to confirm the information they present is true in the form of attestation.

If passengers develop COVID-19 symptoms or a pre-departure test result is positive, they should self-isolate and delay their travel plans until they have recovered from the illness. The testing rules apply to any flight entering the US, even for a connection to another destination.

3) Travelers entering the United States from a foreign country also have to comply with all relevant CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) measures concerning international travel. This includes recommended self-quarantine periods and self-isolation after entry into the US.

Following an international flight, the CDC recommends the following:

• Take a viral test three to five days after travel and stay at home for seven full days, even if you test negative.

• If you test positive or have COVID symptoms, isolate to prevent spreading the disease to others.

• If you don't take a test, stay at home for ten days.

• Whether or not you get tested, avoid being around people who are at increased risk of severe illness for 14 days.

4) Masks must be worn in compliance with CDC guidelines in or on airports, commercial aircraft, and public maritime vessels, including ferries, intercity bus services, trains and all forms of public transportation.

5) Regardless of where you have traveled, the CDC advises every returning traveler to take the following precautions to protect others from getting the illness:

• Stay at least 6 feet (two arm lengths) apart from others

• Wear a mask covering the mouth and nose when in shared public spaces outside the home and on public transportation

• Wear a mask inside the home if people are living there who didn't travel with you

• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

• Look for symptoms of COVID and take your temperature if you feel sick

6) In light of the pandemic, the CDC adapted its 3-level travel notice system to a new 4-level system. It categorizes domestic and international destinations into the following four risk assessment levels:

· Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19

· Level 3: High level of COVID-19

· Level 2: Moderate level of COVID-19

· Level 1: Low level of COVID-19

Land and Sea Ports of Entry

The travel safety executive order the president signed on January 21 tasked the relevant departments with coming up with a plan within 14 days for appropriate public health measures at seaports and land ports of entry from Canada and Mexico.

Regular Updates

For more information about COVID-19-related travel restrictions, visit the CDC’s official website. International travel recommendations are updated weekly.