The State Division is warning People that assist shall be restricted in the event that they go overseas for nonessential causes.

Starting Tuesday, travelers flying to the United States from another country will be required to provide evidence of a negative test for the coronavirus. The State Department also urges Americans not to travel overseas for non-essential reasons, warning that those who test positive or do not have access to a test could be stuck overseas for extended periods – and that assistance will be limited for them by the US government.

“The State Department is committed to helping US citizens overseas who are in a difficult situation, but that support is likely to be limited,” said Ian Brownlee, assistant secretary of the Bureau of Consular Affairs. “Our goal is to help people avoid this hardship.”

The policy followed the new tone of the Biden government, which tightened the rules for international travel. Many other countries have been demanding negative test results for months.

While travel worldwide will be affected, particularly given the decision by the Biden government to exclude travelers – with the exception of American citizens – from Brazil, the UK, Ireland, South Africa and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders, this is the largest Impact of Tests The rule applies to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico, which continue to attract American vacationers unable to travel to other parts of the world.

“We get curveballs pelted throughout our industry,” said Jason Kycek, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Casa de Campo, a golf and beach resort in the Dominican Republic that is expanding its existing on-site testing facilities. “The finish line is moving on, but we keep the overview and make sure that our guests have what they need and can travel safely.”

Mexico and countries in the Caribbean remain popular destinations for American travelers, even though other destinations have closed their borders, partly due to their proximity to the United States, which makes them relatively easy and affordable to get to. In the fall, several US airlines added flights to the Caribbean islands and Mexico when routes were cut elsewhere. According to official figures, almost 500,000 Americans flew to Mexico in November alone.

According to the new requirement, travelers wishing to travel to the US must be tested at least three days before their scheduled flight in order to show their airline a negative result before boarding. Those who have already had the virus are required to provide documentation of recovery in the form of a recent positive virus test and a letter from a health care provider or public health official stating that they have been cleared for travel.

Americans who test positive or do not have access to a test could be stuck abroad for several weeks and should be willing to pay for their medical care and housing, Brownlee said.

“All travelers should have a plan B,” he said. He added that before traveling, Americans should ask themselves the following questions about what they would do if they were stuck in another country longer than intended: “Where would you stay? How would you pay for this longer stay? What would happen at home if you could go back to work, take care of your children, or any of your other chores? “

The United States will accept results from rapid antigen tests, while other countries have asked for what is known as polymerase chain reaction tests or PCR tests. Antigen testing has proven to be less reliable than PCR testing. US embassies in other countries don’t offer tests.

For an industry already decimated by the pandemic, the new testing requirement could lead to a recovery in business. Last week, United Airlines told reporters in its fourth quarter earnings call that Mexican travel destinations were hardest hit by the new testing requirement.

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