U.S. To Require Travelers from China to Take Negative COVID Tests

All passengers traveling from China, Hong Kong, or Macau aged 2 and over will need to be tested for Covid at least two days prior to their departure to the United States. These requirements are applicable regardless of citizenship or vaccination status and start Jan. 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also expand its surveillance program to monitor travelers for Covid variants. This includes airports in Los Angeles and Seattle. U.S. health officials claimed that they only have limited information about the situation in China.

As concerns grow that the virus could spread to other countries, the Biden administration will insist that all passengers flying from China be tested negative for Covid before they enter the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that all passengers traveling from China, Hong Kong, or Macau aged 2 and over will need to be tested for Covid-19 within two days of their departure.

These requirements apply to all nationalities and regardless of vaccination status. They start January 5. A PCR test can be obtained by travelers. The Food and Drug Administration (or the relevant national authority) must approve the rapid test.

On December 12, 2022, China lifted its domestic travel restrictions and travelers were able to check in at Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport. Getty Images| Bloomberg | Getty Images

Incheon International Airport is home to many airline passengers.