US will reportedly require all travelers to get a COVID-19 test 1 day before travel
The U.S. is reportedly preparing to significantly narrow the testing window for travelers flying back to the United States, regardless of vaccination status, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
The new rule will require all travelers, vaccinated or not, to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than one day before departure. The current policy, which has been in place since January, has been three days before departure. The policy goes into effect for flights departing at or after Dec. 6, 2021.
The move comes days after the omicron variant was deemed a "variant of concern" — the most severe category — by the World Health Organization. The variant may be more contagious than others and contains several spike protein mutations that may make it less responsive to COVID-19 vaccines. There are also signs it may be more virulent than other variants.
The White House had previously stated it didn't anticipate implementing further travel restrictions because of the new COVID-19 variant.
However, the Post is reporting that the Biden Administration is considering requiring U.S.-bound travelers to get another test within three to five days after arriving in the U.S., and is also considering requiring travelers -- even those who test negative -- to quarantine for seven days following international travel. It's unclear how that policy would be enforced. Several jurisdictions, including New York City, have had various quarantine policies for domestic and international travel at points during the pandemic.
Last week, the Biden administration suspended entry to the United States by travelers from eight South African nations, including South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The temporary ban applies to those who have been in the affected countries within 14 days of attempted entry to the U.S. and does not include American citizens or permanent residents. Non-U.S. citizens coming from the impacted countries are restricted from entering the U.S. with limited exceptions.
But the new testing requirement is the first policy to affect U.S. citizens and applies to all travelers whether they're vaccinated or not. As we've previously reported, unvaccinated U.S. travelers now must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before departure. This policy went into effect in early November.
It's unclear whether U.S. airlines have been informed of the new policy, as they are required to verify travelers' negative COVID-19 test results. But what is clear is that travelers, vaccinated or not, will have to arrange for COVID-19 testing with little flexibility, which can already be difficult for travelers in more remote destinations or places with testing shortages. Self-testing still appears to be an option, with several popular companies such as Abbott selling testing kits.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.