US international arrivals, inc. Mexico, need neg. Covid tests [Rescinded June 10, 22]
Jan 13, 2021, 12:19 pm
#1
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US international arrivals, inc. Mexico, need neg. Covid tests [Rescinded June 10, 22]
Effective January 26 2021, all international arrivals in the USA must present a negative Covid-19 viral test taken within three days of departure, or possess acceptable evidence of having had Covid-19 to the transporting airline to be allowed to board an aircraft heading to the USA.
Link to US CDC news release re Covid-19 test requirements for international US arrivals.
CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, travel with a copy of your positive test result and a letter from your doctor or health department that states you have been cleared for travel.
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, 12 January 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans.
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world, and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the US already in surge status, the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.
Before departure to the United States, a required test, combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel, will help slow the spread of COVID-19 within US communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes.
Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.
“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, “but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”
This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.
###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans.
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world, and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the US already in surge status, the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.
Before departure to the United States, a required test, combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel, will help slow the spread of COVID-19 within US communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes.
Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.
“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, “but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”
This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.
###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Link to US CDC news release re Covid-19 test requirements for international US arrivals.
Link to CDC Covid and travel information
What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?
CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, travel with a copy of your positive test result and a letter from your doctor or health department that states you have been cleared for travel.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Jan 13, 2021, 12:55 pm
#2
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Leaving aside whether it's a good idea to travel, I guess you'll be able to fly into TIJ and walk over CBX. I can't imagine (even if they wanted to) the CBP and CDC getting involved with CBX and an intra-Mexico flight.
Experiences thread of people who have found rapid tests nearby Mexican airports would be useful for those who are traveling.
Experiences thread of people who have found rapid tests nearby Mexican airports would be useful for those who are traveling.
Jan 13, 2021, 3:09 pm
#4
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Any chance these idiots come to their senses prior to the trip?
Jan 13, 2021, 3:18 pm
#5
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Jan 14, 2021, 9:10 am
#6
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It would seem to me that some of the larger resorts are going to have to figure out a way to make the test easy to get for their guests, or this could prevent some from traveling.
We're now scheduled for Los Cabos in May. Hopefully, this is no longer in effect, but at a fairly remote resort, I can't imagine this will be easy to get a test a couple days before we return home.
We're now scheduled for Los Cabos in May. Hopefully, this is no longer in effect, but at a fairly remote resort, I can't imagine this will be easy to get a test a couple days before we return home.
Jan 14, 2021, 12:02 pm
#7
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Leaving aside whether it's a good idea to travel, I guess you'll be able to fly into TIJ and walk over CBX. I can't imagine (even if they wanted to) the CBP and CDC getting involved with CBX and an intra-Mexico flight.
Experiences thread of people who have found rapid tests nearby Mexican airports would be useful for those who are traveling.
Experiences thread of people who have found rapid tests nearby Mexican airports would be useful for those who are traveling.
Jan 14, 2021, 12:04 pm
#8
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It would seem to me that some of the larger resorts are going to have to figure out a way to make the test easy to get for their guests, or this could prevent some from traveling.
We're now scheduled for Los Cabos in May. Hopefully, this is no longer in effect, but at a fairly remote resort, I can't imagine this will be easy to get a test a couple days before we return home.
We're now scheduled for Los Cabos in May. Hopefully, this is no longer in effect, but at a fairly remote resort, I can't imagine this will be easy to get a test a couple days before we return home.
Jan 14, 2021, 12:08 pm
#9
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Link to TIMATIC checker from United Airlines.
Jan 14, 2021, 12:11 pm
#10
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Here’s the rub: They're not banning American residents and citizens who don’t have evidence of a negative test; the airlines are prohibiting boarding to those flying to the US without acceptable proof of a negative viral test or of having had Covid-19. IATA TIMATIC is what the airlines use to determine if a passenger will be allowed to board because they have the proper documents and permissions to enter the destination country, so if this is codified there it’s what airline employees will use to determine boarding eligibility.
Just imagine airliners demand people show a FBI background check report every time they want to board a plane.
Jan 14, 2021, 1:48 pm
#11
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I've posted this elsewhere on the board, but forgive me for also posting it here due to its direct relevance. The Cape in Cabo posted on Instagram today that it has arranged for Covid testing in your hotel room. I expect this will be the new amenity at highend properties. And no, I have no idea what they will charge.
Jan 14, 2021, 1:49 pm
#12
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Iirc, pedestrian and ground vehicular traffic between the US and México is restricted to those who can prove they’re on essential business. I’m not sure how CBX would be affected, but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to leave a huge gap in the door for those walking in from TIJ.
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Going IN to Mexico on foot or in a car from the US is different. My understanding is that you could be questioned and turned around by the Mexican authorities, though I haven't heard of it happening to anyone and have been able to gather a fair amount of anecdotal evidence that it's fine. Best practices for essential travel to Mexico from the US at a land border is to have proof of your essential travel (like your Mexican dentist's phone number). There are so many people that work in essential industries and are doing essential activities in San Diego and live in Tijuana (and vice versa) that it would be very difficult to enforce anything, especially given that it's one of the busiest land crossings in the world.
Jan 14, 2021, 3:49 pm
#13
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But, as a cautionary matter, there is no way I would travel to Mexico without having the testing scheme in place. Beyond that, travelers also need a Plan B in case they get infected. It's not just a question of having room service delivered for 14-90 days.
Jan 15, 2021, 4:53 pm
#14
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Iirc, pedestrian and ground vehicular traffic between the US and México is restricted to those who can prove they’re on essential business. I’m not sure how CBX would be affected, but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to leave a huge gap in the door for those walking in from TIJ.