The Immigration Observer

CDC Announces COVID-19 Test Requirement for Travelers from China

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, beginning on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 12:01 am travelers age two (2) years and older will be required to get a COVID-19 test (such as a PCR or antigen self-test) administered either by an authorized telehealth service or licensed provider no more than two (2) days before departing from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, or Macau and a subsequent negative result. Passengers who tested positive more than ten (10) days before the flight can provide documentation of recovery in lieu of a negative result. Airlines will confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all individuals boarding the flight.

The CDC provided the following additional information:

• The requirement applies to air passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination status.
• The requirement applies to persons traveling from the PRC via third-country transit and passengers connecting through the United States onward to further destinations.
• In addition to applying to direct flights from the PRC, travelers stopping through Incheon International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport on their way to the United States will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test if they have been in the PRC in the last ten (10) days, no more than two (2) days before their departure to the United States.