Do I Need A Covid-19 Test To Fly To Florida?

Ready to see your friends and family after months and months apart? Need to go on a business trip or finally planning a vacation now that you’re vaccinated? Here’s what you need to know to travel to Florida from both international destinations or somewhere else in the US.

We don’t outright recommend you fly anywhere with high rates of Covid-19 infection—especially with the Delta variant running amuck. 

Alliance understands, nevertheless, that many of us recently vaccinated folks would really like to see our family and friends after all these months. And we understand that many are getting back to in-person work—& with that comes the need for business travel.

You clicked this article, so you probably need to fly to Florida… What do you do? If you’re vaccinated, do you need proof of vaccination? Should you get tested?

Currently, there are no legal travel restrictions in place to fly to Florida. Still, there are a few things to consider. In this blogpost, we’ll answer these questions & discuss how the answers change depending on your destination!

Are you traveling Internationally or Domestically?

First things first, where are you coming from? Currently, there are no legal travel restrictions in place to fly to Florida, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow some guidelines! Plus, if you’re coming from a foreign country, you still face National restrictions from the US.

First, let’s focus on domestic travel.

What Does the CDC Say About Domestic Travel?

Perhaps you’re simply traveling from outside the state, but you live in the U.S. What precautions should you take?

It’s very important to remember that the CDC—not the TSA itself—is in charge of making these recommendations.

These recommendations vary for vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons.

The CDC has issued guidance for air travelers, which you can find on their website. But we’ll sum it up for you.

The CDC recommendations are:

• If you’re not vaccinated: Get tested 1-3 days before your flight
• If you’re not vaccinated: Get tested 3-5 days after you arrive in Florida and Self-quarantine for 7 days
• If you’re vaccinated: Monitor yourself for symptoms
• If you’re vaccinated: Wear a mask and take other precautions (like social distancing) throughout your travels

International Travel to Florida

Many countries, particularly in South and Central America, are only slightly farther away from Florida than its bordering US states. Some islands in the Caribbean are even closer!

Miami is home to many relatives of countries in these areas, so we understand why many visitors may be urging to visit after over a year of not seeing their families.

And let’s not forget that Miami—where many Alliance clinics operate—is a hub for Latin American business.

So there are many reasons you could need to come to Miami from abroad. Of course, when traveling from outside of the US, you face some additional restrictions.

What Does the CDC Say About International Travel?

These requirements are a bit simpler. Whether you’re vaccinated or not,—for both US Citizens and non-US citizens—you’re required to have a negative COVID-19 test “no more than 3 days before travel” (CDC).

OR: If you’ve already had Covid, you must provide documents showing that you’ve recovered from Covid-19 in the past 3 months. (CDC)

Other than these requirements, they also recommend:

For fully vaccinated people:

• Wear a mask as required on planes, buses, and other public transportation
• Follow the recommendations at your destination (in this case, Florida)
• Consider putting on a mask outdoors if you’re in a crowded area—especially if you’re visiting big cities in Florida with high rates of Covid-19.

For unvaccinated people:

• Get tested before and after your trip—within 1-3 days of taking off and landing
• Wear a mask as required on planes, buses, and other public transportation
• Avoid crowds altogether
• Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters from anyone not in your travel group
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

So, Do I Need to Get Tested to Travel to Florida?

Yes. If you are coming to Miami for business or pleasure, you will most likely need a COVID-19 test.

It is always best to plan ahead and book your appointment in advance so there are no delays when boarding your flight. Consider booking an appointment with Alliance Health for the day you arrive!

Our Coral Gables clinic is only 3 miles away from Miami International Airport! Book an appointment in no time here.

If you’d rather get tested at your hotel or wherever you’re staying, give us a call at 844-678-0055. We’ll come to you and get you PCR results in as little as 30 minutes!

Whether or not you choose Alliance Health, we wish you safe travels and a wonderful trip!