According to The Wall Street Journal and a CDC announcement, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing to expand its earlier COVID-19 testing requirement for passengers arriving from the UK. Starting on January 26, all passengers entering the U.S. by air will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

This order does not appear to apply to travelers entering by other means, such as by land or sea. Enforcement will be left to each airline. Passengers must:

  1. Provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days; or
  2. Provide documentation showing they have recovered from COVID-19.

There will be no exemptions for certain passengers under the new requirement; everyone must provide a negative test report.