FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D., (334) 206-5200
Travelers returning to the United States from foreign countries by air this summer are relieved of one requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rescinded its order requiring a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test before flights to the United States.
This means air passengers no longer need to be tested and show a COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the U.S. However, the CDC still recommends travelers boarding flights get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than three days) and not travel if they are sick.
The CDC offers these steps to take before traveling:
CDC recommends people 2 years and older properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation and advises against travel if they:
A statement from the CDC explains the reasons international air travelers are no longer required to test before departure. “The COVID-19 pandemic has now shifted to a new phase, due to the widespread uptake of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the increase of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States. Each of these measures has contributed to lower risk of severe disease and death across the United States.”
The Alabama Department of Public Health has COVID-19 information available at its website at alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/index
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6/14/22
County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health
Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.