Effective as of Monday, December 6, 2021, if you are traveling to the United States from another country, you will be required to test negative for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus — and the requirement to wear masks or face coverings for noses and mouths aboard airplanes, trains, public transportation, and within airports, indoor bus terminals, or other hubs of transportation has been extended through Friday, March 18, 2022.
Stricter Testing For International Visitors to the United States — and Extension of Requirement to Wear Masks Aboard Airplanes
As one of the new actions to protect citizens of the United States against variants of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus this coming winter, this official announcement was released from the briefing room of the White House, which the president of the United States stated for international travel:
- Stronger Public Health Protocols for Safe International Travel: Last month, the Administration implemented stronger international travel protocols, including requirements for foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated. The very day the WHO identified the new Omicron variant, the Biden Administration took immediate steps to restrict travel from the countries in the region where it was confirmed to be spreading quickly. The President will announce additional steps to strengthen the safety of international travel as we face this new threat – just as we have faced those that have come before it.
- Strengthening global pre-departure testing protocols: Early next week, the United States will tighten pre-departure testing protocols by requiring all inbound international travelers to test within one day of departure globally, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. This tighter testing timeline provides an added degree of public health protection as scientists continue to assess the Omicron variant.
- Extending the requirement to wear a mask on airplanes, rail travel, and public transportation: The Administration will continue to require masking during international or other public travel – as well as in transportation hubs such as airports or indoor bus terminals – through March 18 as we continue to battle COVID-19 this winter. The Transportation Security Administration will extend its implementing orders to maintain these requirements through March 18. Fines will continue to be doubled from their initial levels for noncompliance with the masking requirements – with a minimum fine of $500 and fines of up to $3,000 for repeat offenders.
Final Boarding Call
At least Joseph Biden did not call on requiring isolation for seven days upon entering the United States and mandatory self-testing — nor did he entertain the thought of implementing a lockdown of the entire country as the governments of some other nations are doing…
…yet, anyway…
Photograph ©2013 by Brian Cohen.
