Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

Air Travel Toolkit for Airline Partners

Air Travel Toolkit for Airline Partners
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As a result of a court order, effective immediately and as of April 18, 2022, CDC’s January 29, 2021 Order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. Therefore, CDC will not enforce the Order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

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Travel Assessment

A tool to help you know the requirements to board a flight to the United States.

CDC created this communication toolkit for our airline partners to help them reach their travelers and employees with COVID-19 prevention messaging.

This toolkit provides messages, graphics and products to:

  • Support timely messaging to travelers and employees.
  • Share CDC resources with airline partners.
  • Help airline partners develop additional COVID-19 materials.

Airline partners can also access other CDC communication resources for specific audiences in our Communication Resources page, which includes resources specific to travelers.

Sample Communications with Air Passengers

This letter can be used to inform passengers of their requirements for boarding a flight to the United States.

Sample Email to Travelers

Subject: Travel Requirements to enter the U.S. by air

Hello,

Thank you for booking your flight with [insert name of air operator].

On October 25, 2021, CDC issued several Orders affecting air travel to the United States from foreign countries, in accordance with the President’s Proclamation. The new travel policies became effective November 8, 2021.

COVID-19 testing requirements have changed for ALL international air passengers. Passengers 2 years of age or older (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) must show results from a negative COVID-19 viral test conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before boarding their flight to the United States. If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

For more information about this requirement, see Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19.

Also, for non-U.S. citizens, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air, proof of vaccination is required. For more information about this requirement and a list of exceptions, please see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Additionally, all air passengers to the United States are required to provide contact information to airlines within 72 hours before boarding a flight to the United States.

CDC released a Travel Assessment tool to help you determine whether you are eligible to fly to the United States and what documents you will need to show before you board your flight. Before you travel internationally, find out how these requirements impact your travel plans. To learn more about CDC’s Orders, travel requirements, and access the Travel Assessment tool, visit International Travel.

For more information, please visit the following webpages:

Sample Social Media

All social media content is ready for dissemination.

Please remember to use #COVID19 when tweeting out any Coronavirus Disease 2019 related content.

Prevent COVID-19 During Air Travel
Facebook Sample Message

If you are traveling on an airplane, take steps to help prevent COVID-19. Avoid close contact with others, wear a mask, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  See FAQs for Travelers: https://bit.ly/3fauXgJ

Twitter Sample Message

If you #travel on an airplane, help prevent #COVID19. Avoid close contact with others, wear a mask & wash your hands often with soap & water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol: https://bit.ly/3fauXgJ

Mask Recommendation
Facebook Sample Message

Traveling on public transportation (such as airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) can make getting and spreading COVID-19 more likely. CDC recommends everyone to properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs, especially in locations that are crowded or poorly ventilated such as airport jetways. Learn more about reducing your risk while traveling: https://bit.ly/TravelMasksexternal icon

Twitter Sample Message

Planning #travel? Because of the #COVID19 pandemic, masks are recommended inside public transportation and transportation hubs. Find out more about the requirement here: https://bit.ly/TravelMasksexternal icon

International Travel
Facebook Sample Message

Before leaving for international travel, get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

If you’re not up to date and must travel:

  • get tested before your trip
  • after you return to the United States, get tested and self-quarantine for 5 days

Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xtEPq

Twitter Sample Message

Before leaving for international #travel, get up to date with your #COVID19 vaccines.

If you’re not up to date and must travel:

  • get tested before your trip
  • after you return to the US, get tested and self-quarantine for 5 days

Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xtEPq


Facebook Sample Message

All air passengers ages two years or older traveling to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight. Learn more about international travel requirements: www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements

Twitter Sample Message

All air passengers ages two years or older traveling to the US must show a negative #COVID19 test result taken no more than 1 day before #travel, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before boarding. Learn more: www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements


Facebook Sample Message

Regardless of your vaccination status, CDC recommends getting tested 3-5 days after international travel to slow the spread of COVID-19 and new variants. For more international travel recommendations, visit: https://bit.ly/39Az04Xexternal icon

Twitter Sample Message

Regardless of your vaccination status, CDC recommends getting tested 3-5 days after international #travel to #SlowTheSpread of #COVID19 and new variants. For more international travel recommendations, visit: https://bit.ly/39Az04Xexternal icon


Facebook Sample Message

COVID-19 testing requirements for air passengers traveling to the United States have changed. Before you travel internationally, find out how these changes impact your travel plans. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements

Twitter Sample Message

#COVID19 testing requirements for air passengers traveling to the United States have changed. Before you #travel internationally, find out how these changes impact your travel plans. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements


Facebook Sample Message

Travel requirements for certain foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air have changed, including requirements for testing and vaccination. To learn more about the requirements, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html

Twitter Sample Message

Travel requirements for certain foreign nationals traveling to the United States by air have changed, including requirements for testing and vaccination. To learn more about the requirements, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html #CDC #Travel #COVID19


Facebook Sample Message

Learn how U.S. travel requirements apply to you. Use the Travel Assessment tool to find out what you need to do to board a flight to the United States: www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements

Twitter Sample Message

Learn how US #travel requirements apply to you. Use the Travel Assessment tool to find out what you need to do to board a flight to the United States www.cdc.gov/travelrequirements #CDC #COVID19

Electronic Messaging for Airport Kiosks

Global Health Alert: After travel, get tested at 3-5 days.

Travel Health Alerts

CDC’s public health messaging system offers up-to-date messages to travelers at specific airports, seaports, and land borders where most international travelers enter or leave the United States.

This is the latest information posted by CDC, in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other port-of-entry partners.

Travel Health Alert: Video

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Testing Travel Health Alert

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What to Know about International Travel Requirements and Recommendations

Learn about vaccination and testing requirements and mask recommendations before you travel internationally.

English [MP4 – 27 MB]

Key Times to Keep your Distance at the Airport

Key Times to Keep Your Distance at the Airport

Keep your distance at the airport while waiting in lines and while waiting for luggage.

English

Print Resources

Requirements to Travel to the U.S. by Air: Quick Reference

Learn what is required before traveling to the United States from a foreign country by air.

International Travel- Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test

This poster reminds air travelers that they must show their negative test result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight back to the United States.

If Your COVID-19 Test is Positive

This poster is available to download and can be used as a resource for airport testing sites. The poster reminds travelers of actions they should take if their COVID-19 test is positive.

English

Spanish

Stop the Spread of Germs During Travel

This prevention poster reminds travelers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying at least 6 feet from other people at the airport, especially while waiting in lines and while waiting for luggage; wearing a mask throughout your trip; and washing your hands often.

Stop the Spread of Germs Poster

This prevention poster reminds travelers and others to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying at least 6 feet from other people; covering your cough or sneeze; wearing a mask in public; not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and washing your hands with soap and water.  Download for printing using the links below:

Alternative Language: Spanish pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]

Wash your hands!

This prevention posters shows travelers steps they can take for proper handwashing to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Size: 8.5”W x 11”H

How to Protect Yourself and Others

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by learning how it spreads and taking everyday preventive actions.

Alternative Languages: Spanish pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]

Web Content