In response to the omicron variant, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has significantly shortened the time period during which travelers must secure a negative COVID-19 test before traveling to the United States. All air passengers 2 years or older with a flight departing to the U.S. from a foreign country after 12:01am EST on December 6, 2021, are required show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight. Previously, the 1-day rule only applied to unvaccinated travelers, and vaccinated travelers were allowed 3 days before departure to secure negative test results.
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Taiwan Entry Restrictions Extended Through February 2022
On November 1, 2021, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that entry restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue through at least February 14, 2022. Under the CECC restrictions, arriving passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days following arrival, and to complete a 7-day self-health management period after the end of quarantine.
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In Response to Rising COVID-19 Cases, Taiwan Continues Banning Foreign Nationals
Taiwan continues suspending the entry of visitors and resident visa holders until July 16. Only foreign nationals with an Alien Resident Certificate are permitted to enter. Exceptions are being considered on a case-by-case basis for emergencies and on humanitarian grounds.
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Early Launch of Covid Certificate by Several EU Countries
The EU plans to launch its EU Digital Covid Certificate (the “Certificate”) across all Member States by 1 July, although some countries, such as Ireland, may implement it at a later date.
As discussed in our previous blog, the Certificate will facilitate travel within the EU by confirming someone has been fully vaccinated with…
Canada Implements Pre-and Post-Arrival Testing and Quarantine Requirements
The Canadian federal government has made a series of announcements regarding travel, quarantine, and testing requirements for travelers arriving by air and by land. These new measures form part of the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of new, more contagious COVID-19 variants feared to be introduced by travelers from overseas. As of the date of this writing, the requirements are as follows. Changes are being announced on a regular and frequent basis without advance notice, so please check for the latest requirements before booking or commencing travel.
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Travel Bans by Canada and the United Kingdom Broadened, In Ongoing Virus Containment Efforts
Canada. Today the Canadian Government announced rules further restricting international travel. According to the government’s press release:
- Flight suspension. All flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries suspended until April 30, 2021, in effect as of Sunday, January 31, 2021.
- Routing Through Four Canadian Airports. Effective midnight (11:59 PM EST) February 3, 2021, in addition to proof of a negative pre-departure test, all international flights will land at only four airports: Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto Pearson, Calgary, and Vancouver. The new restrictions will include scheduled commercial passenger flights arriving from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which were exempted from the previous restriction.
- Testing and Hotel Stay Upon Arrival. All arriving air travelers must reserve a room in a government-approved hotel for three nights at their own cost, and take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost. The timing for implementation of this requirement has not been made clear at the time of this writing.
- Testing for Land-Crossing. Travelers crossing by land will be required to test negative 72-hours prior to arrival, with limited exceptions such as commercial truckers.
US Expands COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers
Further to our prior blog post regarding the new requirement of negative COVID-19 tests for travelers arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom, today the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has expanded that requirement to cover all air passengers arriving to the United States from a foreign country (and not just the United…
Negative COVID-19 Tests Required by the United States and Canada
The end of 2020 witnessed an alarming spread of multiple COVID-19 variants, including strains that first emerged in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Record high COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were reported at similarly alarming rates, leading governments to take drastic action. In our December 22, 2020 blog, we reported on the travel restrictions imposed across multiple countries and regions across the globe, a trend that has continued at a rapid pace as governments fight to contain the spread of the virus. Some countries target travelers from the United Kingdom; others outright ban all foreigner visitors.
In North America, the United States and Canada have taken the additional step to now require negative COVID-19 tests.
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