22 Mar 2022 | 08:53 PM UTC
US: COVID-19-related international travel restrictions remain mostly unchanged as of March 22 /update 37
COVID-19-related international travel restrictions in the US remain largely unchanged as of March 22, by comparison with late February.
Event
As of March 22, COVID-19-related international travel restrictions in the US remain largely the same as those in effect in late February. All international air travelers aged two and older, including fully vaccinated persons and US citizens, must present a negative COVID-19 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 aged 18 or 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 and Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Novavax/Covovax, Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin, and Medicago.
The US considers only 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 or to nonresident foreign nationals who do not produce proof of full vaccination unless covered under an exception. There is no pre-entry testing requirement for land or maritime border crossings.
Authorities also require individuals to wear facemasks in airports, as well as on commercial aircraft, trains, public maritime vessels, and intercity buses. This requirement has been extended through at least April 18.
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 or not. 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 the risk of COVID-19 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
