Negative COVID Test Required for Air Travel from China to U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have announced a return to requiring negative COVID-19 tests for all air travelers entering the U.S. from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, and those traveling from Seoul, Toronto, and Vancouver who have been in China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the past 10 days.

Beginning January 5, 2023, there are new requirements for air passengers traveling to the United States:

• All air passengers 2 years and older originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be required to get a COVID-19 test (such as a PCR test or an antigen self-test administered and monitored by a telehealth service or a licensed provider and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration or the relevant national authority) no more than two days before their departure from the PRC, Hong Kong, or Macau, and show a negative test result to the airline upon departure.  
• The requirement applies to these air passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination status.
• This will also apply to persons traveling from the PRC via third-country transit, and to passengers connecting through the United States onward to further destinations.
• Along with applying this requirement to direct flights from the PRC, passengers transiting Incheon International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport on their way to the United States will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test if they have been in the PRC in the last 10 days, no more than two days before their departure to the United States.
• Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before the flight can provide documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in lieu of a negative test result.
• Airlines must confirm the negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before they board or deny boarding to the passenger.

For information, see OISA Advisory for Winter Travel.

Should you have questions about your specific travel situation, please contact us by email at oisa@emerson.edu. You may also schedule an appointment or attend our walk in hours (Tuesday, January 3-Friday, January 6, 1:00-2:00 pm).

Your International Student Affairs Staff