COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in United States (21 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• US citizens, permanent residents, and their close family members are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Foreigners from Canada and Mexico are barred from entering the US until 21 August for non-essential travel.

• Travellers who have transited or who have been in the following countries in the 14 days prior to scheduled travel to the US, are restricted from entering the country: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and India.

• The COVID-19 travel ban proclamations do not apply to U.S. citizens or nationals. The order banning travel from India restricts only entry by “nonimmigrants.” The list of other exceptions from the travel ban can be found in this government order.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Travellers who have transited or who have been in the following countries in the 14 days prior to departure to the US are not allowed to transit through the country: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and India.

• Travellers transiting through the US, even for a connecting flight, will be required to provide a negative pre-departure test certificate.

Vaccination required?

• No with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for entry into the country.

• Travellers who have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States unless required by a state or local jurisdiction regulation.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines state that fully vaccinated travellers must still present a negative COVID-19 test certificate before they board a flight to the United States and get a COVID-19 test 3 to 5 days after returning from international travel. More details can be found here.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Test Certificate required?

• Yes

• All air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents) must present a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country. Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA).

• Alternatively, passengers may provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days​. The positive test result and letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official that states the traveller has been cleared for travel together are referred to as “documentation of recovery”. The letter does not have to specifically mention travel.

• Airlines will confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers 2 years of age and over, prior to boarding. ​Airlines will further check that the personal identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) on the negative Qualifying Test result match the personal identifiers on the passenger's passport or other travel documents. Airlines will deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. For further details, please read the relevant CDC order and visit the CDC FAQ website.

• At this time all air passengers travelling to the US, regardless of vaccination or antibody status, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers arriving in the U.S are advised to get tested 3-5 days after arrival.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No

• Travellers are not required to enter quarantine upon arrival. However, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travellers get tested 3-5 days after travel AND self-quarantine for 7 days after travel, irrespective of the test results. Travellers who do not get tested after arrival are advised to self-quarantine for 10 days.

• New CDC guidelines state that travellers who have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine do not need to enter quarantine after returning to the United States unless required by a state or local jurisdiction.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers are either exempted from quarantine or may be advised to enter self-quarantine for up to 10 days depending on their travel history and vaccination status.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Arrivals must download the attestation form and submit the completed and signed form at the time of check-in. The form can be accessed at this link.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International flight operations have resumed.

• Passengers will not be permitted to board planes without wearing a face mask.

• Federal law requires each person to wear a mask at all times throughout the flight, including during boarding and deplaning. A foreign air carrier must not board any person who is not wearing a mask. Exceptions include: for identity verification purposes while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods, deaf persons, etc.

• The CDC's new guidance states that fully vaccinated travellers do not need COVID-19 tests before departing for international travel unless it is required by the international destination.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• The border between the United States and Mexico and Canada is closed until 21 August 2021 for all non-essential travel.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no nationwide curfew in place.

• Most public health measures and restrictions are under the authority of the individual states/territory. Passengers are subject to COVID-19 measures imposed or lifted by each individual state/territory of their final destination. More information can be found here.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• At this time, all states are in various stages of imposing or lifting restrictions. COVID-19 measures applicable in the different states can be found using this link.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Transportation is operating in most areas with public health requirements, such as masks and distancing.

• People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an FDA-authorized vaccine, can travel freely within the USA. Travellers may be exempted from testing and quarantine requirements unless required by local order. Local and region-specific entry requirements and regulations can be found at this CDC link. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Some states may close non-essential businesses in response to a spike in cases.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are operating at a limited capacity.

• Local and region-specific regulations may vary and can be found at this CDC link.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars are operating at a limited capacity.

• Bars may be closed in some states.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• In some states, museums are open with reduced capacity.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open. These services may be restricted in some states based on COVID-19 case numbers. Local and region-specific regulations may vary and can be found at this CDC link.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Churches and other places of worship are open with restrictions.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Local and region-specific regulations may vary and can be found at this CDC link.

Masks required in public?

• Yes with exceptions

• Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing themselves, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

• Masks must be worn on all federal government property.

• Most public health measures and restrictions are under the authority of the individual states/territory. Passengers are subject to COVID-19 face masks measures imposed or lifted by each individual state/territory of their final destination. State-by-State Guide to Face Mask Requirements can be found at this link.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.