U.S. CDC Issues COVID-19 Test Requirement for International Visitors

The Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Robert Redfield M.D. announced on January 12, 2021, the CDC would require all air passengers entering the USA to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of departure​, beginning January 26, 2021.

Furthermore, this CDC order requires international airlines to 'deny boarding of passengers if they do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery before entering the USA.'

The CDC has also issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the United Kingdom (UK) to reduce the introduction and spread of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The UK's Public Health England confirmed on December 21, 2020; a novel variant had been identified, B.1.1.7, which was spreading within the UK. As of January 11th, the CDC confirmed (72) B.1.1.7 Lineage Cases in the USA.

Separately, the US Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for the UK on January 12th.