New COVID-19 Travel Regulations in the US Under Biden Administration
Under the Biden presidency, the US is introducing sweeping new public health measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. An executive order signed by President Joe Biden this week requires travelers to follow a new set of rules that includes mask-wearing, physical distancing, timely testing, and quarantine.
New Rules for International Travel
The executive order, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), takes effect on January 26. It requires travelers arriving on international flights to present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Furthermore, international travelers will need to quarantine upon arrival, while masks will be mandatory on many domestic trains, planes, and buses.
Implementation of Testing and Quarantine
The previous administration introduced the testing requirement; however, quarantine was merely a recommendation. Now, quarantine is mandatory. The CDC is proposing a seven-day quarantine for travelers arriving in the US from nearly all countries. The executive order emphasizes that air travelers must comply with applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including recommended periods of self-quarantine. However, it does not clarify how this quarantine enforcement will be carried out.
Masking and Interstate Travel
“In addition to wearing masks, everyone flying to the United States from another country will need to test before they get on that plane, before they depart, and quarantine when they arrive in America,” Biden stated. Moreover, he emphasized extending masking requirements on interstate travel, affecting trains, planes, and buses. This order is now in effect.
Negotiations with Canada and Mexico
The new administration is also in discussions with Canada and Mexico to establish new public health guidelines at the land borders. Currently, non-essential travel with Canada and Mexico is on hold until February 21.
This article was first published on December 25, and updated on January 22, 2021.
