U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires COVID-19 testing for international travel.
Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents applying for passports, and all residents with international travel plans, that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new rule last month to require COVID-19 testing for boarding an international flight during the pandemic.
The Office of the County Clerk assists residents with passport applications and periodically updates travelers on alerts and rule changes issued by federal agencies.
“Please avoid travel if at all possible, but if you must take an international flight be sure to check for the latest updates on COVID-19 rules, and have a backup plan ready in case you test positive for COVID-19 while out of the U.S., ” said Ms. Rajoppi.
Under the new rule, all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three days of departure, or proof of recovery to the airline before boarding the flight.
The U.S. Department of State encourages U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents to avoid non-essential travel at this time. Those who must travel should consider purchasing medical travel insurance that covers the pandemic. Travelers should ahead for unanticipated expenses if they unexpectedly test positive while overseas.
The State Department also advises that travelers may encounter difficulty obtaining a COVID-19 test and receive the results within the three-day window. Mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and closed borders may create additional disruptions.
To help stay up to date on international travel rules during the pandemic, follow the State Department (@TravelGov) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Program at step.state.gov to receive alters from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
For more information on the new COVID-19 test rules visit the State Department online at travel.state.gov/C19testingOverseas. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/COVID19travel.
To contact the Passport Offices of the Union County Clerk call 908-527-4966 for the Main Office, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, or call 908-654-9859 for the Annex Office, located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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