US requires negative COVID-19 test for air travelers from China

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday that travelers arriving from China will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding a flight.

The CDC's decision comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China, which recently loosened its travel restrictions and opened its borders to foreign travel.

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The CDC said it is concerned about the slowing of the spread of COVID-19 in the US, citing a "lack of sufficient and transparent data" about the outbreak being reported from China.

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The agency wants to prevent any kind of concern from leaking into the country.

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Beginning January 5, travelers to China who are 2 years of age or older will need to obtain a negative PCR or antigen self-test 2 days prior to departure from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, according to the CDC

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The CDC said this applies regardless of nationality or vaccination status.

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It also applies to passengers traveling from China via a third country, or who are connecting to another country via the United States.

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Credit-Getty images

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