The CDC is making things a tad easier for those travelers looking to take their first adventure overseas this summer. There’s a new report that says the CDC is accepting Covid-19 home tests for international flights. However, the home test must be supervised remotely and in real time by a telehealth provider that is associated with the test manufacturer. Here’s what you need to know.
Covid-19 Rapid Home Tests Now Accepted For International Travel
As of press time, all travelers flying to the U.S. must provide a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than three days before their trip. If that weren’t enough, travelers should also provide documentation of their negative test to their airline before they board. But the CDC updated their web site last week to allow travelers to now provide home Covid-19 tests, too.
Before you start planning your trip, keep in mind that the home tests have to be either a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or an antigen test approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration. A telehealth provider also has to supervise the traveler’s self test remotely in real time and write a report, confirming the person’s identity, their testing procedure and their result.
And while many countries are opening up their borders again, that doesn’t mean the CDC is encouraging you to travel this summer. They still want you to sit home and avoid all unnecessary travel, if possible. While a lot of people are getting vaccinated, there are still several variants of the virus that are also crossing borders along with travelers and making its way into the United States.
“International travel poses additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants,” the CDC wrote on its website. “CDC recommends delaying international travel until you are fully vaccinated.”
In the meantime, tell us, are you planning any international trips this summer? And if so, where are your plans taking you? Let us know in our comments section below. And as always, come back right here for all of the latest news and updates you need to know about Covid-19 and travel.
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