Posted on 12/31/2021 8:43:22 AM PST by lightman
he U.S. State Department on late Thursday warned Americans who are traveling outside the country to “make contingency plans” amid restrictions associated with rising COVID-19 cases worldwide.
“U.S. citizens who do choose to travel internationally should make contingency plans, as they may have to remain in a foreign country longer than originally planned, which will be at their own expense,” the State Department said in a statement.
The agency added that anyone aged 2 and older coming back into the United States would need to show proof they’ve recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, or a negative COVID-19 test that was conducted within 24 hours when they are slated to return. That applies to American citizens and lawful permanent residents—regardless of vaccination status.
“The Department recommends international travel insurance with coverage for COVID-related trip cancellation and medical benefits,” the State Department also said.
The agency also noted that some countries have imposed travel restrictions, including mandatory quarantines, mandatory testing requirements, proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, closed borders, and other rules.
“Some countries have also imposed travel restrictions requiring mandatory quarantine for those testing positive on departure, which could delay a traveler’s ability to travel to another country,” the alert said. “Foreign governments in any country may implement restrictions with little notice.”
American citizens traveling abroad should also contact their airline about specific testing requirements or restrictions, the agency said.
Federal health officials and authorities in other countries have said the Omicron variant—first discovered in southern Africa last month—is highly transmissible and appears to be driving a record spike in COVID-19 cases in many U.S. states. However, authorities, citing preliminary data, have said that the new strain appears to present milder symptoms and fewer hospitalizations.
“We know now, incontrovertibly, that this is a highly, highly transmissible virus. We know that from the numbers we’re seeing,” Biden administration COVID-19 advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a briefing on Wednesday before adding that data suggests there is “a lesser severity of Omicron versus Delta.”
Fauci and officials, including the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appear to be pivoting their messaging on the Omicron variant, saying that it necessitates fewer domestic restrictions. The CDC, for example, earlier this week said it reduced the COVID-19 isolation time to five days, although some states said they won’t adhere to the recommendation yet.
The agency also reduced the time healthcare workers would need to come back to work if they tested positive for the virus. But on Thursday, the CDC issued a bulletin saying it recommends that Americans should not travel on cruise ships for the time being and cited a recent spike in COVID-19 cases on cruise liners.
Lots to see here in the USA....why go overseas?
“why go overseas?”
Agree.
A neighbor told me yesterday he just got back from India as his father had died there....he said the air travel was such a cluster he really needed a lawyer just to navigate all the covid records, paperwork and restrictions along the way.
Also having to purchase a round trip ticket to India and back on such short notice was right at $3,000 dollars......WHAT!?
I always have at least three contingency plans for everything.
The last plan is always, “Pull the pin, drop it and run.”
They are so backpedaling on this whole Covid narrative and yet still act like it’s the Black Death.
Travel insurance is a smart idea these days. Unfortunately, if one person in a pair of travelers tests positive for COVID, only the CoV+ person gets insurance reimbursement for expenses incurred during the extended stay/quarantine. Messy travel risks, indeed.
It’s much easier to 1) pull the pin, 2) THROW it, and 3) then run. You don’t have to run as far and as quick. :0)
When we flew back from Spain, we used the VeriFly app which basically walks you through all the steps necessary to fly into certain countries. We had to take our test the day before we flew back to the US. But then it didn't have to be within 24 hours, it appears now they've changed that.
Stay away from CA, NYC, Chicago, D.C. and Philly.
Just fly to Mexico, walk across the southern border, find a Border Patrol agent, and tell him which city you want to go to. No Covid testing, free plane tickets.
Well, sure, but I usually have my eyes closed when I throw a grenade and I’m never quite sure where it went and I might just be running towards it.
If I just drop it, then, no matter which way I run, I’m getting farther away from the grenade.
I could write out an algorithm for this, but then I would have to know how to write algorithms.
Then all you need to do is denounce your citizenship and enter the country illegally. The Biden administration will give you free transportation to wherever you want to go and a weekly allowance. If you have kids with you and they get separated from you count on an extra $million or so.
Ping
“make contingency plans”.... Americans left behind in Afghanistan were not given an option.
“because we who are your rulers will NOT pass up opportunities to clamp down on you ALL!”
Agree, but maybe to permanently leave the U.S..
I hope you had as great a trip to Spain as I did! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m now glad I went before the world went even crazier.
VeriFLY and the Spanish app worked fine for me on my November trip to Barcelona. Unfortunately the negative test result from Binax Now wouldn’t upload properly to VeriFLY. VeriFLY didn’t recognize the QR code. Those last couple days were agonizing even though all I finally had to do was show the email to American Airlines at checkin.
Please elaborate…
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