HomeTopicsGlobalU.S. updates guidance for vaccinated travelers

U.S. updates guidance for vaccinated travelers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States on Friday issued updated guidance for travelers who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

While the changes lift quarantine requirements for international travelers, the CDC still requires that people flying into the United States must present a negative coronavirus test.

Click here for an official list of where to get a Covid test in Costa Rica.

Below is the full documentation from the CDC:

****

[April 2], the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its travel guidance for fully vaccinated people to reflect the latest evidence and science. Given recent studies evaluating the real-world effects of vaccination, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine.

Fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States and do not need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.

“With millions of Americans getting vaccinated every day, it is important to update the public on the latest science about what fully vaccinated people can do safely, now including guidance on safe travel,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.  “We continue to encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as it’s their turn, so we can begin to safely take steps back to our everyday lives. Vaccines can help us return to the things we love about life, so we encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity.”

Because of the potential introduction and spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, differences in disease burden and vaccines, and vaccine coverage around the world, CDC is providing the following guidance related to international travel:

  • Fully vaccinated people can travel internationally without getting a COVID-19 test before travel unless it is required by the international destination.
  • Fully vaccinated people do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States, unless required by a state or local jurisdiction.
  • Fully vaccinated people must still have a negative COVID-19 test result before they board a flight to the United States and get a COVID-19 test 3 to 5 days after returning from international travel.
  • Fully vaccinated people should continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling internationally.

The guidance issued today does not change the agency’s existing guidance for people who are not fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers should still get tested 1-3 days before domestic travel and again 3-5 days after travel. They should stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel or 10 days if they don’t get tested at the conclusion of travel.  CDC discourages non-essential domestic travel by those who are not fully vaccinated.

Updates to CDC travel guidance for vaccinated people can be found here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

Due to the large number of Americans who remain unvaccinated and the current state of the pandemic, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people continue to take COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowds when in public, when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple other households, and when around unvaccinated people who are at high risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Used-Car Imports Fall 85% After Tax Loophole Closes

Costa Rica imported just 631 used vehicles in September, down 85% from a year earlier, as new customs valuation rules took hold. The average declared value doubled to $8,227 and tax per vehicle rose 71%.

Costa Rica Begins New Prison Transfer Phase as CACCO Opens to Inmates

Costa Rica was scheduled to begin moving prisoners into its new maximum-security facility today, marking the next step in the government's effort to tighten...

Harry Kane Wins the Ballon d’Or, England’s First Winner in 25 Years

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England, becoming the first English winner since 2001.

Francisco Cerundolo Reaches Brussels Quarterfinals With Win Over Martin Damm

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo advanced to the European Open quarterfinals yesterday, beating American Martin Damm 6-4, 7-6 (4) to set up a meeting with French...

Costa Rica and DEA Expand Drug Investigations to Politicians and Business Leaders

Costa Rica is expanding its cooperation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to investigate suspected drug traffickers operating behind legitimate businesses and...

More Than 2,000 Caught Entering Costa Rica Parks Illegally

Over 2,000 people were caught entering Costa Rica national parks illegally in three years. A new seal now targets tour transport.

Many US Deportees Remain in Costa Rica as Report Faults Migration Agency

Costa Rica cannot fully meet its human rights obligations to the migrants the United States is deporting here from other countries, according to a...

Thousands March as Costa Rica Lawmakers Cut 8 Billion Colones From Public Universities

Thousands of students, university staff, union members and social activists marched through San José yesterday against cuts to public university funding. Late that night,...

Costa Rica’s First Cold Push of the Season Brings Stronger Winds and Rain

Costa Rica is beginning to feel the effects of the first cold push of the season, bringing stronger winds to Guanacaste and the Central...
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel