In addition to U.S. citizens, U.S. green card holders who plan on travelling internationally also need to test for Covid-19 with a verified test within 24 hours before their planned departure. This means that if you are a green card holder and plan on visiting loved ones in your home country, or are planning a vacation to Mexico, the same testing requirements apply and unfortunately there are few alternatives.
One way to be exempt from the 24 hour testing requirement is to show airlines that you have recovered from Covid-19, and have a medical statement from a licensed practitioner that this is the case.
For Canada and Mexico
In addition, the 24 hour testing requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens or green card holders who are travelling from Mexico to the U.S. by land. For example, if you are taking a bus from Hermosillo to Tucson, Arizona, there is no formal testing requirement, although you should be prepared to show your ID and green card to U.S. border patrol agents. This is likewise the same procedure being used for U.S. citizens that plan on crossing the Canadian border. This is one way to skirt current testing requirements if you need to travel internationally and can’t find a verified rapid test to bring with you.
CDC Updates
Last week, the CDC also announced that those who have just gotten back from a domestic or international trip should also consider picking up a rapid test within a 3 day window of their return. For individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19, the CDC has decided has decided to cut the quarantine time in half. Previously, isolation was recommended for 10 days after infection. However, medical experts have weighed in and have decided that a 5 day isolation period is sufficient given the more mild symptoms that Omicron is presenting in patients.[1]
Other travel experts have warned that if you are planning on visiting home, make sure to have some type of contingency plan in case you test positive and need to stay abroad for more time than originally planned. Finally, if you do test positive, you should wait approximately 1-2 weeks before testing again because you are likely to test positive again unless you are outside of that window of time.[2]
