New COVID Screening Policies for International Passengers Flying Into U.S.

Picture: EQRoy (Shutterstock).

What does this mean for public health?
Terrific question– after all, we are still in the midst of an international pandemic. Lets recall at the policy thats been in place for the past numerous months. Generally, passengers returning to the U.S. have actually been sent out to airport screeners who took their temperature level and asked a series of health-related concerns, including whether theyve been experiencing any of the timeless COVID-19 signs.

While the new policy will likely make take a trip more hassle-free for those flying internationally, it does not seem like the best move from a public health viewpoint. And while not everybody with COVID has a fever (and vice versa), the airport health screenings at least offered some effort to help slow the spread of the unique coronavirus, and acknowledge the continuing international pandemic.

There was an exception to this guideline: U.S. citizens, legal irreversible citizens and their family members have been permitted to reenter the nation as long as they flew into one of 15 designated American airports, and went through an improved entry screening. On Monday, September 7, this policy changed, according to Yahoo News, which broke the story.

What has changed about COVID screening policies?
Simply put, those with consent to reenter the U.S. will no longer have to fly through one of these 15 screening airports en path to their final destination:.

While the brand-new policy will likely make take a trip easier for those flying globally, it doesnt appear like the very best relocation from a public health viewpoint. At this point, were not truly in a location where we can afford to make contact tracing harder. And while not everybody with COVID has a fever (and vice versa), the airport health screenings a minimum of supplied some attempt to assist slow the spread of the unique coronavirus, and acknowledge the continuing international pandemic.

Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts.
Chicago OHare International Airport (ORD), Illinois.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Florida.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York.
Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California.
Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington.
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia.

Part of the screening process requires travelers to provide their contact details, in the event that its needed for contact tracing purposes. Under the upgraded policy, if a guest may have possibly been exposed to somebody with COVID-19, it will make getting in touch with them substantially more tough (or at least more lengthy).

When the brand-new policy takes impact at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 14th, it will end the compulsory COVID screening requirement for guests getting here from outside the nation.

There was an exception to this rule: U.S. people, legal long-term residents and their household members have been allowed to reenter the country as long as they flew into one of 15 designated American airports, and went through a boosted entry screening. On Monday, September 7, this policy changed, according to Yahoo News, which broke the story. Generally, guests returning to the U.S. have been sent out to airport screeners who took their temperature and asked a series of health-related concerns, consisting of whether theyve been experiencing any of the classic COVID-19 symptoms.

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