IMPORTANT COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES & TIPS
NEW CDC US ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. This requirement will go into effect on Jan. 26, 2021.
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.
•Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.
•Test results must state: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected.
•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 may be required to be shown again upon landing.
Alternatively, passengers may provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 with documentation of test results conducted during the three months preceding the flight’s departure from a foreign country.
•Test results must state: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted.
•Additionally, a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called 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.
FEDERAL MASK MANDATE: (executive orders will now require people to wear masks on federal property, at airports, and on buses, trains, and planes)
This executive order mandates wearing masks at airports and on planes, trains, buses, and ferries.
Although, the majority of travelers may have already been masking up for months—airlines already require all passengers and crew members to wear masks. But a federal mandate adds weight to the rules already in place. Hopefully, this will help increase compliance and prevent the harassment of flight attendants trying to enforce their company's policies. In 2020, three major US airlines (Delta, JetBlue, and United) added more than 1,200 passengers to their no-fly lists for refusing to wear masks.
Therefore, the order came as a relief to US airline officials and flight attendants who for months have had to contend with verbal abuse from unruly passengers, many of whom believed COVID-19 was a hoax and refused to wear masks on planes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. This requirement will go into effect on Jan. 26, 2021.
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.
•Documentation should be for a viral test as approved or authorized by the relevant national authority.
•Test results must state: Negative, SARS-CoV2 RNA Not Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Not Detected, or COVID-19 Not Detected.
•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 may be required to be shown again upon landing.
Alternatively, passengers may provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 with documentation of test results conducted during the three months preceding the flight’s departure from a foreign country.
•Test results must state: Positive, SARS-CoV2 RNA Detected, SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detected, or COVID-19 Detected. Invalid will not be accepted.
•Additionally, a letter from a licensed health professional stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel (called 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.
FEDERAL MASK MANDATE: (executive orders will now require people to wear masks on federal property, at airports, and on buses, trains, and planes)
This executive order mandates wearing masks at airports and on planes, trains, buses, and ferries.
Although, the majority of travelers may have already been masking up for months—airlines already require all passengers and crew members to wear masks. But a federal mandate adds weight to the rules already in place. Hopefully, this will help increase compliance and prevent the harassment of flight attendants trying to enforce their company's policies. In 2020, three major US airlines (Delta, JetBlue, and United) added more than 1,200 passengers to their no-fly lists for refusing to wear masks.
Therefore, the order came as a relief to US airline officials and flight attendants who for months have had to contend with verbal abuse from unruly passengers, many of whom believed COVID-19 was a hoax and refused to wear masks on planes.
Important Passport Information
Please take a minute and read this thoroughly as there is vital information detailed.
If your vacation requires that you have a valid passport book to travel. Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children. If your passport expires under 6 months from your travel date, you will need to renew your passport immediately.
If you do not have a passport, you will need to apply ASAP and pay the additional $60 to expedite the process.
The US Passport agency is taking 18 weeks to process applications and 12 weeks to expedite passports!
If you are renewing your passport, it is taking 6-8 weeks!
The cost for a new passport book for an adult is $110 and it is an additional $35. ($60 to expedite)
The cost for a new passport book for a child (for kids 15 or younger) is $80 and it is an additional $35. ($60 to expedite)
We are URGING all of our clients with travel plans from Oct thru the end of this year to apply/renew for their passports right away.
Here is what the government is saying about the time it is taking to get a passport at: www.travel.state.gov
Please go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html to begin your application process
Some helpful websites:
www.travel.state.gov
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html
https://mx.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-for-u-s-citizens-in-mexico/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html
https://mx.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-for-u-s-citizens-in-mexico/
