Pre-Boarding Testing and Post-Arrival Quarantine for Travelers Entering the United States

Biden's Executive Order on COVID-19 Response

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden has signed an executive order implementing quarantine measures for those arriving in the United States from overseas. This move signals a strong commitment to tackling the COVID-19 crisis from the early days of his administration, including tightening border controls.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the second day of his presidency, the 21st (local time), President Biden signed more than ten executive orders related to COVID-19 response at the White House. In a subsequent speech, President Biden stated, "Everyone arriving in the United States from abroad must submit a COVID-19 test result and undergo quarantine upon arrival."

This means additional regulations will be implemented following the requirement to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding flights to the U.S., which takes effect on the 26th. As a result, entry procedures into the U.S. are expected to become more stringent. President Biden did not specify the exact timing or duration of the quarantine.

The executive order signed this time stipulates that "air travelers must comply with the relevant guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding international travelers, including the recommended self-quarantine period." Although the CDC has quarantine guidelines for those arriving from overseas, they are not mandatory. According to CDC guidelines, travelers should take a COVID-19 test between 3 to 5 days after arrival and, if testing negative, quarantine for 7 days. Those who do not get tested after arrival must quarantine for 10 days.

On the same day, President Biden also unveiled a 198-page national COVID-19 response strategy that includes mandatory mask-wearing for passengers on airplanes, trains, ships, and buses; administering 100 million vaccine doses within the first 100 days of his administration; and invoking the Defense Production Act to expand vaccine and protective equipment production. President Biden emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, "We will likely see the 500,000th death next month."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.