COVID Travel Rules Are Changing In January For People Flying From China
Starting Jan. 5, people entering the United States from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test or proof of recovery from illness before boarding, according to the CDC. I have.
The new requirement, which applies to all people over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status or nationality, is a new requirement in the United States as China grapples with a surge in cases that the CDC believes are not being adequately reported to other countries. is an attempt to slow the spread of COVID in
In a December 28 statement, the CDC said it was reducing COVID testing and case reporting in China, and that “minimizing the sharing of viral genome sequence data could delay the identification of new variants of concern.” there is,” he said. “These data are important to effectively monitor surges in cases and reduce the likelihood of the introduction of new variants of concern,” officials added.
Travelers may submit a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result performed by a licensed healthcare provider or monitored by telemedicine services up to two days prior to departure to the United States.
This rule also applies to people traveling through the United States to other destinations. Passengers traveling from Incheon International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport (three hubs that accommodate the majority of passengers who begin travel in China) must present his relevant COVID-related documents at least two days in advance. need to do it. Departure to the United States if you have been in China in the last 10 days.
Passengers who have tested positive for COVID more than 10 days before their flight may submit documentation proving they have recovered from their illness in lieu of a negative test result.
In October, the CDC announced that it would be discontinuing its travel advisory list by country, barring a situation of concern related to the novel coronavirus.
On December 23, the U.S. State Department warned Americans to “reconsider travel to China, Hong Kong, and Macau due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19.” issued a travel advisory to – Relevant restrictions. (The US first issued her COVID-related travel advisory for China in January 2020.)
The CDC said it will continue to monitor travel patterns and adjust its approach if necessary if conditions in China worsen.
According to the World Health Organization tracker, COVID infections in China are increasing by about 20,000 per day. As of December 22, he had nearly 27,000 more cases. The number of deaths from COVID is rising steadily as well, increasing by about 400 each week.
The current surge follows China’s sudden easing of COVID restrictions after the country’s “zero COVID approach” spurred anti-lockdown protests. , the AP expects to cause 1-2 million deaths from COVID in the country next year, due to a shortage of fever-reducing drugs.
Meanwhile, the CDC is launching a traveler-based genomic surveillance program — a voluntary early warning system that collects nasal swabs from international travelers on select flights to detect variants of the novel coronavirus — at airports in Los Angeles and Seattle. said to be expanding to The program is currently being implemented at San Francisco, New York City, Newark New Jersey’s Liberty International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport.
“Approaches that overlap with existing CDC recommendations such as masking while traveling, self-monitoring for symptoms, and testing three days after arrival from international travel can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible. At planes, airports, and destinations,” the CDC said, “and be vigilant for potential variants to emerge.”