An order posted last night by the US CDC requires that effective 1201 AM ET on Monday 6 December 2021 no air passenger 2 years of age and older may board a US-bound aircraft unless presenting documentation of:
- A negative viral COVID-19 test on a specimen collected no more than 24 hours pre-departure, or
- Having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days as shown by both:
- A positive viral test result conducted on a specimen collected no more than 90 days pre-departure, and
- A letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel
The CDC order also imposes requirements on aircraft operators to confirm that every passenger has presented a negative, qualifying test result or the required documents of recovery.
This update to the CDC order does not change requirements for international visitors who cross US land borders from Canada or Mexico.
The CDC is expected to give airlines a 3-day grace period to permit some travelers with tests taken longer than 24 hours pre-departure to return to the US.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said she would not expect the new restrictions to be lifted before the Biden Administration "know[s] more about the [Omicron] variant" and that additional restrictions might be needed.
I'm afraid the Omicron variant - and maybe other future variants - are going to put paid to US international inbound for winter 2021-2022.
