Pre-Flight COVID Test Temporarily Waived for Shanghai Departures

In recognition of the fact that current lockdowns in Shanghai may prevent individuals from getting a pre-departure COVID-19 test, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that effective immediately the test requirement is waived for U.S. citizens; U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (LPRs); noncitizens in possession of a valid U.S. immigrant visa; and noncitizen nonimmigrants who are traveling with a U.S. citizen or LPR and who possess valid travel documents allowing them to travel to the United States.

As background, CDC has determined that all air passengers two years of age or older, with limited exemptions, boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country must get tested. Read more here. The CDC waiver allows airlines to board these individuals without meeting the testing requirement. This waiver will expire on May 11, 2022, subject to any further extensions.

Covered individuals will not be required to complete the attestation at Section 1 of the Combined Passenger Disclosure and Attestation to the United States of America  form.

Some individuals who are eligible for the testing waiver may required to show proof of vaccination. Individuals who are not considered fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine  may apply for a humanitarian or emergency exception to the vaccination requirement by submitting an exception request to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For more information visit COVID-19 Information – U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China.  

For more on the testing waiver, see this Health Alert by the U.S. Mission in China.

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