CORONAVIRUS TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION ADVISORIES

See below for important COVID-related travel advisories.

  • For CDC-related travel information, click here.
  • For DoD-related travel information, click here.

OVERVIEW

In response to COVID-19 concerns, the Department of Defense issued domestic and international travel restrictions March 13 for all service members, DoD civilians, and their families assigned to DoD installations, facilities and surrounding areas within the United States and its territories. While the COVID-19 pandemic still presents risk, the improving conditions warrant a more conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel, yet unless all the conditions of the memo are met, the current stop movement will remain in effect. The conditions to resume unrestricted travel rests on two overarching factors: 1) state and/or regional criteria, based on the administration’s Opening Up America Again guidelines and 2) installation-level factors based on conditions surrounding DoD installations, facilities, and locations.

CHANGES FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL TO THE U.S.

The CDC announced changes to U.S. entry requirements for air passengers starting 8 Nov 2021.  Specifics on the requirements can be found on the CDC website.

  • COVID-19 Testing: Passengers 2 years or older are required to present a negative COVID-19 viral test result, within a time period based on their vaccination status:
  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and received a negative pre departure test result for COVID-19. The test was a viral test conducted on a specimen collected no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure.
  • Not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and received a negative pre-departure test result for COVID-19. The test was a viral test conducted on a specimen collected from no more than 1 day before the flight’s departure.
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 and cleared for travel by a licensed healthcare provider or public health official. The test was a viral test conducted on a specimen collected no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure.
  • Passengers between 2 and 17 years of age, not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and received a negative pre-departure test result for COVID-19. The test was a viral test conducted on a specimen collected from the person no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure and this person is traveling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.
  • Received a humanitarian or emergency exemption to the testing requirement or the documentation of recovery, as determined by CDC and documented by an official U.S. Government letter.
  • COVID-19 testing is not required for passengers under the age of 2 years old.
  • COVID-19 TESTING EXEMPTION: Redeploying passengers presenting a testing exemption, signed by the first O-7 or civilian equivalent, in the chain of supervision. These passengers must maintain exemption documentation with them, present it when requested, and notify USTRANSCOM via email. The exemption document will specifically identify each traveler.
  • Additional CDC Requirement: Non-U.S. Citizen, Non-U.S. Immigrants (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa):
  • Passengers must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States by air. Limited exceptions are listed on the CDC Attestation Form, Page 3, Paragraph 2.

SPACE-A TRAVEL PROGRAM CATEGORY LIMITATIONS

On Mar. 15, 2021, Ms. Stacy A. Cummings signed an updated memorandum establishing Space-A travel program category limitations due to COVID-19. The limitations will remain in effect until a determination is made to safely remove them. The memorandum includes that Category I (items 1-6), IV (items 26 and 27) and VI (items 42 and 46) travelers remain eligible to seek Space-A travel. Travelers under all other Space-A categories are ineligible for travel consideration, unless they possess an Exception to Policy letter as described in the lower portion of the memorandum. These limitations are necessary to preserve force readiness, health and welfare, while limiting the continuing spread of COVID-19. Medical screening protocols still apply to all travelers. Some travel exceptions apply. Additional information can be found in DoDI 4515.13 and this AMC article.

PATRIOT EXPRESS COVID-19 SCREENING GUIDANCE FOR BWI, SEATAC

FACE COVERING REQUIREMENTS

On May 20, 2021, the U.S. Transportation Command directed the use of face coverings when traveling on aircraft or while at transportation hubs such as airports or AMC APOE terminals.  Vaccination status does not exempt a passenger from wearing a mask.  Passengers may temporarily remove their mask for eating or drinking, but they should reapply their mask as quickly as possible.  Acceptable face coverings shall extend above the nose without interfering with eyewear, and below the chin to cover the mouth.  Additionally, AMC passenger terminals are conducting two tiered screening to include temperature checks and medical screening.  Click HERE to read more on CDC travel guidance.

Masks Required

PET TRAVEL

Pet travel on AMC Patriot Express flights is restricted to passengers in PCS status. Eligible travelers may work directly with their TMO/ITO to book pet reservations. AMC does not have the authority to provide an Exception to Policy (ETP), for DoDI 4515.13, Air Transportation Eligibility. An ETP request must be submitted through the traveler's service headquarters and receive final approval from OUSD. Visit our pet travel page or see our AMC Pet Brochure for more pet travel information. Additional information is available on CDC.gov.

TERMINATION OF COVID-19 TESTING AT BWI & SEATAC AMC TERMINALS

On-site COVID-19 testing services at BWI & SEA-TAC AMC Terminals are no longer available.

Passengers requiring proof of a COVID-19 test MUST arrive at their departure terminal with this documentation at the time of check-in. Passengers arriving without proper documentation will be denied travel.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) COVID TEST REQUIREMENT

Visit the link below for important information about COVID test requirements for personnel movement to the Republic of Korea:

https://www.usfk.mil/Media/News/Article/2462098/negative-covid-19-pcr-test-required-for-all-arriving-usfk-personnel/.

GERMANY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Germany has a digital registration requirement for most passengers.  Passengers departing the U.S. and other countries identified as “virus variant areas”, “high incidence areas”, or “risk areas” in the last ten days must register on www.einreiseanmeldung.de prior to departure to Germany.  In addition to other required documentation, these passengers must be able to provide proof of registration (hardcopy, phone screenshot, digital pdf, etc.) to Passenger Service Agents.  Please check the Foreign Clearance Guide for the most up-to-date information.

KUWAIT COVID-19 ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

All personnel entering Kuwait must have a negative result for a PCR test administered within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Kuwait. Unvaccinated personnel MAY NOT ENTER the State of Kuwait. Personnel must have completed vaccination with at least two weeks since final vaccine to enter the State of Kuwait. Upon arrival, all personnel are subject to a home quarantine for one week from the date of their arrival in the State of Kuwait. Quarantine can be ended by conducting a PCR test with a negative result at any time after arrival.

SPAIN TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR PCS & DEPLOYMENT TRAVELERS

Each passenger arriving in Spain by air must complete the health control form available at www.spth.gob.es or on the Spain Travel Health App. Completion of this form will generate a QR code for each traveler.

TURKEY TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR PCS & DEPLOYMENT TRAVELERS

All travelers entering Turkey must complete a Traveler Entry Form within 72 hours prior to travel, and print/present it at check-in prior to departure. Children under the age of six (6) and transit passengers are exempt.

The Republic of Turkey requires all military and civilian personnel (DoD civilians and contractors supporting the U.S. military) entering Turkish military installations to be administered COVID Polymerase Chain Reaction testing within 72-hours prior to arrival in Turkey. Travelers should receive a COVID rapid PCR test no earlier than 48 hours before scheduled departure time from BWI and have two hard copies of results clearly documenting negative PCR results prior to departing their home station/region for BWI Airport. Please contact your Installation Deployment Readiness Center or your local Military or Civilian Personnel Section for further details.

U.S. COVID-19 ENTRY REQUIREMENT

All international air passengers (including US citizens) are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 Test or recovery from COVID-19 prior to boarding their international flights to the United States. This does not apply to air passengers flying from a US territory or possession.  The reference for this requirement is the Foreign Clearance Guide and the DoD Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 20), Page 7, Testing Guidance.  For AMC flights, the only exception to this requirement is for redeploying passengers presenting a testing exemption signed by the first O-7 or civilian equivalent in the chain of supervision. ** This requirement may change on 8 Nov 2021 (see above upcoming CDC announcement) **