No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

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

US Entry Rule Changes Could Cost Billions in Tourism Losses

New rules for visa-exempt tourists heading to the United States may drive away millions of visitors and hit the country's economy hard. A recent...

Crowds Rush to TSE for Voter IDs Before Costa Rica’s 2026 Elections

Citizens formed long queues at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) offices across our country in the days leading up to the national elections. People...

Sabalenka and Rybakina Advance to Australian Open Final After Semifinal Wins

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals...

Costa Ricans Cast Ballots in Pivotal Presidential Election

Voters across the country headed to polling stations today to select the next president and reshape the Legislative Assembly. The election drew 3.7 million...

Costa Rica drug violence drives killings as election nears

Mauren Jiménez cleans houses and cares for sick patients to make ends meet. In her spare time, the 54-year-old community leader does work most...

Costa Rica Upholds Inmate Voting Tradition in Crime-Focused 2026 Presidential Race

Thousands of inmates across Costa Rica cast their ballots on Sunday, February 1, during the presidential and legislative elections, as authorities set up polling...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica