COVID-19 CDC FAQs for Passengers Entering the U.S. by Air Effective 6/10/2022

This page is updated as new information becomes available. However, for current and complete information, please reference the FAQs on the CDC website, which can be found here. It is also important to understand any requirements that may be specific to federal executive action and the state or city to which you are traveling.

GENERAL CDC POLICY

What has changed?

The U.S. State Department announced on Friday, June 10, 2022, that it has rescinded all COVID-19 testing requirements for air travelers returning to the United States from international destinations. The new policy went into effect on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 12:01 AM ET. As a result of this ruling, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers will no longer be required to show a negative COVID-19 test one day before their flight to the U.S. Read the CDC's media statement here.

Does this requirement apply to U.S. citizens?

This Order applies to all air passengers traveling into the U.S., including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

Does this policy apply to US citizens returning to U.S. from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico?

No. The CDC Order defines a foreign country as anywhere that is not a state, territory, or possession of the United State. Locations like Puerto Rico and USVI are considered within the United States according to the CDC definition.

Does this order apply to all flights or just commercial flights?

This order applies to all flights, including private flights and general aviation aircraft (charter flights). Passengers traveling by air into the U.S. are required to have proof of testing regardless of flight type.

Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the U.S.?

The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER

Key points relevant to international travel are:

• The CDC order issued on January 12 requiring a negative COVID-19 test of passengers entering the U.S. from a foreign country has not changed.
• Masks are mandated on commercial planes, trains, ships, buses and in airports, as is customary practice.
• Stated policy is to comply with applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after entry into the United States.
• After entry into the U.S., the CDC guidance is to:

• Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel.
• Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days.
• If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
• If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days after travel.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.

Per the Executive Order, these and other COVID-19 regulations are under review. Travelers are encouraged to keep up to date regarding requirements specific to federal executive actions and the state or city to which you are traveling.

COVID-19 TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Please check for more information and ongoing updates on the CDC website.

Do I need to get a test before leaving the U.S.?

CDC recommends that you get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before you travel internationally. Travelers should be aware of and follow any entry requirements at their destination.

Can I purchase a COVID test in the USA and take to destination for a doctor to administer and certify there?

It is not recommended. It would be necessary to ensure that the type of test purchased meets the CDC requirements and that the in-country health care administrators accept the test and have the lab facilities to process the results.

Where can I get tested in-destination, and what is the cost?

Please click here to reference the hotels and destinations that are offering testing on-site, and/or free testing. This list is continually updated as we receive more information.

What type of test results are valid? Would antigen be okay?

Yes, a negative antigen test is accepted for entry into the U.S. Many hotels are offering antigen testing onsite and it is often at no charge. Canada requires a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test. Please check for more information and ongoing updates on the CDC website and the Canadian government website.

What is the difference between an antigen and PCR test?

An antigen test, frequently referred to as a rapid test, detects protein fragments specific to the Coronavirus. Turnaround time for results is usually very quick. A PCR test is considered the "gold standard' in SARS-CoV-2 detection. This test actually detects RNA (or genetic material) that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection, even those who have no symptoms. Turnaround time is longer, generally in the 2-3 day range but results can be in as little as 24 hours. When demand is high, results can take a week or longer.

For stays under 3 days, can the COVID test be administered in the U.S. prior to departure to international destination?

There is no direction from the CDC that says the country from which you are traveling into the U.S. must be the country in which the test was administered. The requirement is that documentation of a negative test result within the past three days be presented for entry into the U.S.

If I am booked on a 3-night stay, do I have to test the day you arrive?

The CDC requirements are for documentation of a negative test taken in the past three days, or a positive test take in the past three months coupled with a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

If I have one or more connecting flights to the U.S., does the 3-day period apply to the first flight or the last one?

If you are arriving on a direct flight to the U.S., your test must be done within the three days before your flight to the U.S. departs. If you are arriving to the U.S. via one or more connecting flights, your test must be done in the three days before the first flight in your itinerary, but only if the connecting flights were booked as a single passenger record with a final destination in the U.S. and each flight is no longer than 24 hours long. If your connecting flight to the U.S. was booked separately or a flight in your itinerary lasts longer than 24 hours, you will need to get tested within the 3 days before your flight that arrives in the U.S.

If I am connecting through the U.S. to another country, do I still need to get tested?

Yes. Any flight entering the U.S., even for a connection, requires testing before departure.

What happens if I don’t take a test and want to travel to the U.S.?

Air passengers traveling to the U.S. are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding. If a passenger chooses not to provide a test result or documentation of recovery, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

If I have had a COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19?

Yes, all air passengers traveling to the U.S., regardless of vaccination status, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.

POSITIVE COVID-19 RESULTS & QUARANTINE

What if I test positive?

Guests who test positive will need to quarantine in-country and coordinate with resorts to determine options for quarantine.

What is the quarantine time frame if I test positive?

If you are quarantining in country, the health policies of that country will determine the quarantine time frame. For reference, according to the CDC, you can be around others after 10 days since symptoms first appeared and after 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

Is it confirmed that a negative test is mandatory, or does the minimum quarantine meet the requirement as well?

A negative test is mandatory. Minimum quarantine does not excuse the requirement for a test.

If you test positive in destination and have met the in-country quarantine requirements, what documentation do you need to return to the U.S.?

The CDC requirements for re-entry into the U.S. are for documentation of a negative test taken in the past 3 days or a positive test take in the past 3 months coupled with a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

What is the minimum quarantine requirement before travelers who tested positive can test again? Ultimately, is the negative test the ONLY way to board?

The CDC requirements are for documentation of a negative test taken in the past three days, or a positive test taken in the past three months coupled with a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

Does your entire party have to quarantine with you if you test positive in resort?

Whether travel companions who test negative also need to quarantine is dependent on in-country policies. Please check for more information and ongoing updates on the CDC website www.cdc.gov.

If I’m traveling on Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights, test positive, and need to quarantine, how do I book my new flight home?

If you are traveling on an Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flight (ENVF) and test positive in destination, we will work with you and Amstar DMC to accommodate you on the next available ENVF at no charge, based on availability. If there is no ENVF availability, we will assist in finding a scheduled air flight, but the cost of the airline ticket will be at your own expense.

Travel advisors can reach out to our During Travel team:

During-travel Contact Information (U.S. offices)

• Apple Vacations: 855.572.9893; duringtravel@applevac.com
• Blue Sky Tours: 800.777.1566; duringtravel@blueskytours.com
• Funjet Vacations: 800.558.3060; duringtravel@funjetvacations.com
• Southwest Vacations: 800.775.7105; duringtravel@southwestvacations.com
• Travel Impressions: 866.313.3684; duringtravel@travimp.com
• United Vacations: 800.338.6538; duringtravel@unitedvacations.com

What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend getting tested again in the 3 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, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official (as defined by the CDC) that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as Documentation of Recovery.

Individuals are responsible for confirming correct travel information and should reference government requirements and the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR U.S. ENTRY BY AIR

What documents do I need to enter the U.S.?

According to the CDC, air passengers entering the U.S. will be required to present documentation of a negative COVID-19 viral test (called a Qualifying Test) conducted within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs or Documentation of Recovery and a CDC attestation form (details below).

• Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.
• Documentation may be paper or electronic copy and must include the name and contact information for the laboratory or healthcare personnel who performed the test.
• Test results must state: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected. Invalid will not be accepted.
• Test results may be required to be shown again upon landing.
• Alternatively, passengers may provide “Documentation of Recovery”-documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 with test results stating: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted. Test results must be conducted during the 3 months preceding the flight's departure from a foreign country and be accompanied by a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (Documentation of Recovery).

Finally, all airline passengers will be required to present a simple CDC attestation form to the airline for collection prior to boarding. That form can be found here for reference.

Since you can test positive for COVID for up to 3 months after getting the virus, can I get a waiver if I’m not contagious?

The CDC requirements do not address a waiver for COVID-positive individuals without symptoms or who are not contagious. The requirements are for documentation of a negative test taken in the past 3 days or a positive test taken in the past 3 months coupled with a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called Documentation of Recovery).

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLUS COVERAGE

Does Travel Protection Plus cover the cost of COVID-19 testing?

No, the cost of testing is not covered by Travel Protection Plus. However, many hotels are offering onsite and/or free testing. Click here for the most current information, which is continually being updated on VAX.

Does Travel Protection Plus cover costs to change a flight or book a new flight home?

Trip Interruption reimburses (up to the total trip cost) to change or purchase a new airline ticket due to illness to you or a family member, or traveling companion.

Does Travel Protection Plus cover medical care if you test positive in destination?

Yes, Emergency Medical Expense reimburses medical costs (up to $50,000) should you incur hospital charges or other medical bills as a result of an illness or injury during your vacation. However, in many international destinations including Mexico and some Caribbean countries, laws require that you pay for these expenses up front, and then file a claim for reimbursement with Trip Mate. We strongly recommend that you travel with a credit card to cover such unforeseen expenses.

Does Travel Protection Plus cover additional expenses I will incur if I am delayed in resort?

For departures to resort 2/1/21 onward, Trip Delay coverage for additional expenses incurred by ALG Vacations customers who are delayed 6 hours or more had been increased to up to $3,000 per person (previously the maximum was $500) for expenses such as meals, lodging, and local transportation costs for delays of 6 or more hours due to a defined Hazard, such as a Common Carrier Delay or Quarantine (imposed by a physician or government authority). Valid for Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions, United Vacations, Blue Sky Tours, and Southwest Vacations.

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW: Benefits on this page are described on a general basis only. There are certain restrictions, exclusions and limitations that apply to all insurance coverages. This advertisement does not constitute or form any part of the plan description or any other contract of any kind. Plan benefits, limits and provisions may vary by state jurisdiction. To review full plan details online, go to:

Apple Vacations
Funjet Vacations
United Vacations
Southwest Vacations
Blue Sky Tours

DISCLAIMER: This information is updated as new information becomes available. However, for most current and complete information, please reference the FAQs on the CDC website, which can be found here. It is also important for you to understand any requirements that may be specific to federal executive action and the state or city to which you are traveling.

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