In response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, beginning December 6th, the Biden Administration will require all inbound international airline passengers ages 2 and older to submit a negative COVID test taken within 1 calendar day of travel in order to board their flight. This will apply regardless of citizenship or vaccination status. Passengers who have recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days will still be able to submit evidence of their recovery as an alternative to COVID testing.
This new requirement will replace the existing policy that requires fully vaccinated passengers to submit a pre-departure COVID test taken within 3 days of travel to the U.S.
A humanitarian exemption still exists for the testing requirement, but it will only be granted in extremely limited cases where travel is necessary for emergencies involving health and safety and the passenger is unable to access or complete COVID testing in time for their flight.
This follows a presidential proclamation that took effect on November 29th that prohibits immigrant and nonimmigrant entry of foreign nationals who have been physically present in certain southern African countries.