The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has placed an order This will soon affect all passengers entering the US. You must provide it digitally or in writing Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days prior to their flights.

The airlines deny boarding to those who do not comply with the regulations. And those who provide false test information face fines and imprisonment.

The new regulation comes into force on January 26th.

New requirements for negative coronavirus tests for travelers

The new requirement applies to all passengers 2 years and older, including US citizens and legal permanent residents. Even if you have been vaccinated, you must have a negative test.

Travelers flying from US territories such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are exempt from this regulation.

How do you get a coronavirus test before your flight?

Test protocols already exist in a number of popular holiday destinations.

The Costa Rica Tourism Institute works with private laboratories to offer testing across the country. In Los Cabos, the Tourism Authority is working with the public and private sectors, as well as airport officials, to ensure access to tests. The island has hospitals and medical facilities that offer PCR testing to outbound travelers, with an average turnaround time of 24 hours, according to the Aruba Tourism Authority.

In addition, many top hotel brands in international destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, Tahiti, and Costa Rica will have test facilities in their hotels, or they plan to work with local companies to conduct the tests. Be prepared for trial prices, which range from free to $ 250 per person.

Some destinations already require some kind of COVID-19 insurance coverage or a health visa.

Aruba Visitor Insurance covers medical and non-medical expenses if you test positive for COVID-19 while in Aruba. The maximum coverage is $ 75,000. The cost is $ 30 for travelers 15 and older. $ 10 for children under 14 years of age.

Bahamas Health Travel Visa costs start from $ 40 (ages 10 and under are free). The island of Jamaica charges $ 40 for $ 50,000 for medical emergencies and $ 100,000 for travel to and from Jamaica.

Other types of Health insurance coverage may be required by an individual hotel, resort, or the government of your destination. Typically, if you test positive and need to stay in place for an extended period of time (up to $ 500 per day), you should cover associated medical expenses.

If you need a health visa, be aware that a COVID test may be required. Here are the latest Caribbean travel logs for US visitors and details of entry and exit regulations.

In many other countries around the world, foreign travelers must purchase medical travel insurance to gain access. This has become necessary due to an increase in unresolved medical bills from foreign travelers.

The Squaremouth travel insurance comparison page has a detailed breakdown of the list of countries where travel insurance is required and explains in detail the standards to meet when planning an international trip. Read Squaremouth’s Guide to Travel Insurance for the Coronavirus Pandemic This explains what type of coverage is available.

Due to the new complexity of entry and exit regulations, you should book an international trip with a travel agency. Find an agent near you in American Association of Travel Agencies (ASTA) or the Association of Retail Travel Agencies (ARTA).

What if you want to cancel your travel plans?

If you already have an international ticket, what if you want to cancel? Most major airlines have announced that there will be no price differences for customers traveling until February 9, 2021. Affected customers can rebook free of charge in the same service cabin for the same origin and destination. The new trip must start on or before January 25th.

Last thought

Expect this requirement to last at least as long as virus cases remain high. This new requirement could definitely have an impact on your international travel budget due to the cost of testing and compulsory travel insurance.

If you absolutely must travel, consider traveling within the United States. Make sure you set the applicable protocols for quarantine form mandates and more at your destination. Before committing to travel plans, do some research on the official government websites. Here is a brief overview of the current government regulations.

Here is a link to fully order COVID tests before arriving in the US.

Stay safe and wear a mask!

Other travel resources from Clark.com:

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