Do I need a COVID test? What to know before travelling to the U.S.

TORONTO --
On April 1, Canadian officers eased some COVID-19 restrictions on the border and now not requires inbound travellers to current proof of a damaging COVID-19 take a look at of any form taken previous to entry into Canada.


However for travellers heading south of the border, the U.S. nonetheless has a number of restrictions in impact, together with necessary pre-departure COVID-19 exams for these flying into the nation.


Planning on heading all the way down to the States this spring? This is what you have to know earlier than crossing the border:


COVID-19 TEST, VACCINE PROOF REQUIREMENTS


All travellers coming into the U.S. by air are nonetheless required to current proof of a damaging COVID-19 take a look at taken inside sooner or later of journey, no matter vaccination standing or citizenship.


The U.S. accepts using fast antigen exams administered by a lab or health-care supplier for entry, though dearer molecular exams resembling PCR exams can be used. At-home fast antigen exams can solely be used if the take a look at is taken beneath the supervision of a telehealth supplier via an audio and video connection. The take a look at should even be accepted for emergency use by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration or by the "related nationwide authority the place the take a look at is run," resembling Well being Canada.


People who've just lately recovered from COVID-19 can use their constructive take a look at outcome to enter the U.S. for as much as 90 days after their an infection. The take a look at outcome would not should be from a PCR take a look at and could be from any take a look at that satisfies the U.S.'s entry necessities. Travellers with a constructive take a look at outcome should even have a signed letter from a health-care supplier or public well being official stating that they have been cleared for journey.


In contrast to Canada, which requires all travellers to submit their proof of vaccination and different info via the ArriveCAN app, the U.S. doesn't have a compulsory app for inbound travellers.


For travellers coming into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico via land borders crossings or ferry terminals, no COVID-19 exams of any form are required.


As well as, all non-immigrant and non-U.S. citizen travellers should current proof of being totally vaccinated. The entire vaccines accepted to be used in Canada are accepted by U.S. authorities. Unvaccinated foreigners will not be permitted to enter the U.S. except they have been granted an exemption.


TRAVEL INDUSTRY CALLING FOR FEWER RESTRICTIONS


Leaders within the U.S. journey and tourism trade have been calling on U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to contemplate easing a few of its well being measures on the border, to carry them in keeping with the looser necessities seen within the U.Ok. and the EU.


Final month, the U.S. Journey Affiliation despatched an open letter to the White Home, requesting the administration take away the pre-entry testing requirement for all totally vaccinated travellers.


"Eradicating the pre-departure testing requirement will incentivize vaccination, improve demand for worldwide journey to and from the U.S., and higher align passenger aviation entry necessities with these at U.S. land border factors of entry and different main travel-trade companions overseas," the letter states.


The Biden administration final month additionally prolonged its masks mandate on airplanes via April 18. The U.S. Journey Affiliation is asking the White Home to let the mandate expire.


Throughout a press briefing final Wednesday, White Home Communications Director Kate Bedingfield mentioned "conversations are underway" when requested whether or not the White Home is ready to ease journey restrictions.


"Definitely, when we've information to make on this, we’ll come again to you," she advised reporters.

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