Travelling to USA Covid regulations

[confusedofsussex]

I am hoping to be finally reunited in December with my brother and my new nephew who live in New York after Covid restrictions are relaxed next month. I also want to take my youngest daughter and who is 16 . She will only have had 1 jab (and there is no set date/uk gov plans for a second) Can anyone tell me whether she can go or will she have to self-isolate . The information talks about being fully vaccinated but in this country for that age group that means 1 not 2 jabs unlike USA. No clear guidance is available - are they saying that Children can't go to the USA at the moment unless they have had 2 jabs ? Cant believe that is the case but cant seem to find the answer . Help !

@cakeaddict

ZZ, well, they get the cardboard handwritten card on the day, but I don't think it will be valid as proof. All the NHS websites say covid certification/vaccine passports are not needed for U-16s, therefore they don't issue them, and it explicitly states that written letters issued from the system for travel are not for under 16s. GP records will be up to date of course. Unless there is something I'm missing and someone in the UK has managed to get proof for travel....??

It sounds like you have two questions here.

Proof of vaccination for travel to the US - not needed for under-18s.

Proof of vaccination for things like concerts, restaurants, etc - a cardboard handwritten card is likely to be fine, given that's what most of us are already using in the US.

Of course it could all change at any point!

Thanks all

Hi, All being well, flying to NYC on Mon with DH, DD and DS. DH and I both fully vacc (Pfizer) obvs DCs not (8 & 10). So, have ordered through British Airways (our airline) 4 x Chronomics lateral flow tests, to do within 72 hours of flying out there. I've also ordered (and have reference number for) the lateral flow tests for us to do on day 2 of our return, which we need for the passenger locator forms.

Now, what I'm unclear on is if we need to do a test whilst we're in NYC before our return to UK? And I'm assuming that as the chronomics tests we will do pre departure will be all valid and 'legal' as we used the link via BA.

You don’t need to do tests in NY before you leave. It sounds like you’re ready. It will be interesting flying out on the day borders reopen!

@ZZTopGuitarSolo

You don’t need to do tests in NY before you leave. It sounds like you’re ready. It will be interesting flying out on the day borders reopen!

Yes, 'intersting' indeed. I'm expecting delays, but hey ho. Originally booked for half term, then quickly rearranged when they said November, just happens we choose the 8th. Not going to lie, having a few sleepless nights about it all!

The good thing is that the airlines have had a chance to practice with the US citizens/residents and their families traveling. DH flew out and back a couple of months ago. But I would plan for delays. Good luck - it will be worth it!

Is it clear yet how stop overs will be managed?

If we flew to Florida, with a stopover to change planes at JFK would the Covid checks happen then or at our final destination?

The Covid paperwork checks all happen when you check in.

I've flown in and out of the US recently (US citizen) and I've had to show all my covid paperwork when checking in at the overseas airport for the flight to the IS, it appears to be your airlines responsibility to ensure you have completed all the necessary checks before you can board. It's just been the regular immigration process when landing in the US.

So, have ordered through British Airways (our airline) 4 x Chronomics lateral flow tests, to do within 72 hours of flying out there.

@fretting123 they need to be PCR tests, NOT lateral flows!

They don’t have to be PCR tests. Antigen tests are fine - they just have to be done through a test provider so that the results can be verified by the airline.

DH did an antigen test for his UK to US flight in Sept.

@BackToWhereItAllBegan

I've flown in and out of the US recently (US citizen) and I've had to show all my covid paperwork when checking in at the overseas airport for the flight to the IS, it appears to be your airlines responsibility to ensure you have completed all the necessary checks before you can board. It's just been the regular immigration process when landing in the US.

Yes that was DH’s experience too. He flew into Boston and was on the bus home within about half an hour of getting off the plane.

We're going to FL in December so watching this with interest. DH and me only and both fully vaccinated so that's a good start.

The bit that I am still unclear about is the day 3-5 test, firstly how to arrange that and secondly how do we report it?

Issue being that we are flying on Friday and getting on a cruise on Sunday. We need a test to get on the ship which we were planning to book at a pharmacy on the Saturday. Wondering if that will suffice for the day 3-5 too, even though not in that range. We'll be at sea for days 3-5.

Any tips appreciated!

The bit that I am still unclear about is the day 3-5 test, firstly how to arrange that and secondly how do we report it?

There is no requirement for a day 3-5 test after you arrive in the US, if that's what you mean?

You do need a negative test taken within the 3 days before you leave the UK. You may be able to use this for the cruise trip depending on their rules?

Otherwise you could book one at a pharmacy for Saturday. I don't know about Florida, but where I live those appointments can be difficult to get. It's worth keeping an eye on exactly when they tend to release those appointments, and going online at that moment to get them.

Eg if I want an antigen test at Walgreens, they are released at midnight 3 days before, and usually go within about 12 hours. It's very different all over though.

You might also want to book tests at two different places, in case one has problems. Walgreens had some major issue here a few weeks ago.

@Chewbecca you can get a test when you board the ship. We all had one when we boarded on Royal Caribbean in the summer.

Ok, thanks, I have totally mis-read the guidance in that case. I thought I read that after 8 Nov, a test was needed on day 3-5 after arrival. I will read again!

If that's the case, we could potentially do one at Heathrow on Friday morning that would cover both the flight and the cruise (that needs one within 2 days of departure).

Our ship isn't doing tests AFAIK, but they haven't settled into UK passengers yet, focussed only on the US ones. Might change in the next few weeks.

Will study again! Thanks.

Ok, thanks, I have totally mis-read the guidance in that case. I thought I read that after 8 Nov, a test was needed on day 3-5 after arrival. I will read again!

That's the requirement for unvaccinated travellers, although tourists who are over 18 and unvaccinated are unlikely to be allowed in anyway.

It keeps changing and is very confusing! Here's the latest from the CDC.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html

We're in departures!!! All went well and no problems so far!

How exciting @fretting123!! Enjoy!

@fretting123

We're in departures!!! All went well and no problems so far!

Good luck with the rest of the journey and I hope you have a wonderful visit.

I just returned from NYC today. You are supposed to be fully vaccinated at many venues, but I was only asked for my vaccination certificate once (at a cafe). Lots of places just have signs up saying don't come in if you are not fully vaccinated.

No one looked at my vaccination status or my negative Covid test when I entered the country either. That was true when I flew in from the UK over the summer (Covid test was checked by the airline before I boarded- no questions at US immigration though). This time I came over the Canadian border and no one even asked any questions! (I do have a US passport though.)

You could easily get a free vaccine for your teen in NY. There are also free PCR, lateral flow, and antigen tests all over the city.

Hi everyone, we fly to Florida in December and am confused about testing over there. I understand that the children will need to be tested three days after arrival but not sure whether I need to book and provide evidence in advance of departure. Does anyone know please. Many thanks .

@Lemondrizzzzle

Hi everyone, we fly to Florida in December and am confused about testing over there. I understand that the children will need to be tested three days after arrival but not sure whether I need to book and provide evidence in advance of departure. Does anyone know please. Many thanks .

I'd say your best bet is to pre-book a drive-through test somewhere like Walgreens or CVS. It looks like you can book them 7 days in advance at Walgreens in Florida, so you'd go online 7 days before you want the test, fill in the form for each person who needs a test (you might as well all get one), then select your store and book a date/time. It'll ask for an address - use wherever you'll be staying.

www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing/consent?ban=covid_vanity_testing

You could also look at other testing locations here to see if you can book one in advance.
floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/

Once you've booked a test you can then sign the attestation to say you've made your testing plans.

Your test results will be reported to the Florida CDC - if anyone tests positive they will get in touch. Otherwise at that point you're all good.

@Lemondrizzzzle

Hi everyone, we fly to Florida in December and am confused about testing over there. I understand that the children will need to be tested three days after arrival but not sure whether I need to book and provide evidence in advance of departure. Does anyone know please. Many thanks .

If you’re staying at a resort, there will probably be testing provision there. Contact them and find out.

Getting a test at a pharmacy as pp mentioned is really easy but getting to the pharmacy might not be so easy. They’re usually done at the drive-thru windows so if you don’t have access to a private car (ubers won’t do them, as far as i know).

I wonder if the tests will have to be a full 3 days after travel, or at any point within the 3 days (like in the UK). When DH arrived in the UK he did his '2 day' test at Heathrow just after going through customs and immigration.

It all seems a bit vague at the moment. I'm sure it will get cleared up quickly.

The people I know in the New England area who had family arriving today said they got through arrivals, immigration, customs etc in less than an hour at Boston.