CDC Approves Home COVID Tests for International Passengers

Last week, in response to a letter from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for pre-departure COVID testing.

The new CDC guidance permits results from certain COVID-19 home testing kits to be accepted for passengers entering the U.S.

Currently, international passengers must show a negative COVID-19 result from an authorized testing center within 72 hours prior to boarding an aircraft destined for the U.S.

Under the new guidance, results from self or at-home tests are now admissible given the testing procedure includes a telehealth service affiliated with the test manufacturer.