The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) has updated its requirements for international travelers flying into the United States. Travelers must now show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 before flying. This order goes into effect on January 26, 2021.

These new guidelines apply to any air passenger two years of age or older. It includes anyone traveling into the USA, including USA citizens and legal permanent residents.

Several Presidential proclamations established restrictions on the entry of certain travelers into the US in an effort to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some foreign nationals who have been in certain countries in the last two weeks are still not able to enter the USA. For a full list of countries, travelers should visit this page on the CDC website.

If you are otherwise allowed to travel, you must get a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) no more than three days before your flight departs. You will need to show documentation of your results to the airline before boarding. This documentation can either be a paper or electronic copy of your results. Travelers who have had a COVID-19 vaccine must still provide a negative test result.

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, the CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have any symptoms. But if you have had a positive viral test in the past three months, you may still be able to travel. If you meet the outlined criteria and can show proof of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating you are cleared for travel, you should be able to board a flight. The test result and letter are your “documentation of recovery.”

Any passengers who fail to provide a positive test result or documentation of recovery will be denied from boarding a flight.

Check the CDC website for more information.