The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have a new COVID-19 testing requirement. All air passengers ages two and older traveling to the U.S. on flights from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Macau must show a negative COVID-19 test or evidence of recovery from COVID-19. This requirement begins on January 5, 2023, and affects all air passengers from China traveling to the United States.
The individual must have taken the test no longer than 48 hours before departure and present a negative result. In addition, these passengers may use an antigen self-test or a PCR test. However, a licensed provider or telehealth service authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or relevant national authority must administer and monitor these tests.
This new requirement will apply to all passengers, irrespective of their vaccination status or nationality. Anyone traveling from China via third-country transits or connecting through the U.S. to other destinations must also comply with the requirement. In addition, passengers traveling through the Vancouver International Airport, Incheon International Airport, or Toronto Pearson International Airport on their way to the U.S. must present a negative COVID-19 test.
They must take it no longer than 48 hours before departing to the United States. However, this step applies when travelers come from China within ten days of departure. Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 over ten days before their flight can present documentary evidence of their recovery in place of a negative COVID-19 test result. In addition, the airlines must carry out the CDC’s new requirements. As a result, the airlines must verify that the passengers have and present either proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test result. This step must take place before the travelers may board the flights.
The CDC has decided to enact these new requirements in light of the spiking COVID-19 cases across China. Meanwhile, the president’s administration will assess this significant and sudden increase. Furthermore, the CDC announced that China’s lack of transparency when sharing COVID-19 data has led to the new requirements. Finally, the CDC hopes that the policy will slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States.
This policy will make it more challenging for employers to hire workers from China or other covered regions, especially when looking to bring them to the United States.
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