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CDC providing free COVID-19 tests to returning travelers at select airports

Dec. 16, 2021
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2 min read
Holiday travel has begun at Los Angeles International Ariport.
CDC providing free COVID-19 tests to returning travelers at select airports
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced a second COVID-19 testing program at select U.S. airports to offer at-home free testing kits to international arrivals to further expand access to testing during holiday travel as COVID-19 surges around the country.

"This initiative will quickly increase access to post-arrival COVID-19 testing for international travelers arriving in the United States," a CDC spokesperson told TPG via email. "CDC will begin to distribute COVID-19 home test kits at select airports the week of December 13, handing out as many of these free test kits as possible."

Currently, travelers from abroad arriving in Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA), Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and O'Hare International Airport (ORD) will be offered a free COVID-19 home test kit to use 3-5 days after their arrival date, according to the CDC.

"It is critical that travelers get tested 3-5 after travel to help identify imported cases of COVID-19 and stop the spread of the virus," the spokesperson said.

The program is separate from the airport testing surveillance initiative the CDC is currently operating at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which allows travelers from certain countries to get a post-travel test at the airport upon arriving in the United States.

Related: Incoming passengers from specific countries can get free COVID-19 testing at 4 US airports

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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