The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has imposed flight restrictions on individuals who have been to China in a series of measures designed to protect the American people from exposure to the coronavirus.
According to the new directive, all flights from China and all passengers who have travelled to China within the last 14 days will be routed through one of eight US airports, effective from February 2, 2020. Three additional airports have been added to the list of airports authorized to receive such flights today. At these eleven airports, the United States Government has established enhanced screening procedures and the capacity to quarantine passengers, if needed.
Additionally, US citizens who have been in Hubei province within 14 days of their return will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine to ensure they are provided proper medical care and health screening. US citizens who have been in other areas of mainland China within 14 days of their return will undergo proactive entry health screening and up to 14 days of self-quarantine with health monitoring to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk. Generally, foreign nationals (other than immediate family of US citizens, permanent residents, and flight crew) who have travelled in China within 14 days of their arrival, will be denied entry into the United States.
“While the overall risk to the American public remains low, funnelling all flights with passengers who have recently been in China is the most important and prudent step we can take at this time to decrease the strain on public health officials screening incoming travellers. These steps will also expedite the processing of U.S. citizens returning from China, and ensure resources are focused on the health and safety of the American people,” said DHS Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf. “We realize this could provide added stress and prolong travel times for some individuals, however public health and security experts agree these measures are necessary to contain the virus and protect the American people. To minimize disruptions, CBP and air carriers are working to identify qualifying passengers before their scheduled flights. Once back in the U.S., it’s imperative that individuals honour self-quarantine directives to help protect the American public.”
DHS and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have coordinated extensively with air carriers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to designate the eleven U.S. airports at which CDC will seek to identify potentially ill persons.
Airlines are advising all US-bound passengers to arrive three hours early at their departure airports to give enough time for the additional screening.
The new rules do not impact cargo-only flights. The DHS also said that none of restrictions impact flights or visitors from Hong Kong or Macau.