Are there still COVID rules for airports and planes? What California travelers should know

California airports have been relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions, as we near three years since the start of the pandemic.

For instance, since June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recalled its requirement that travelers coming into the United States must show documentation of a negative COVID test or recovery, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.

But the virus is still circulating, and there may be a surge this winter season. COVID cases and hospitalizations began to rise in early December with two new variants, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, dominating infections across the country.

If you’re traveling in and out of California by air, here’s what to know about the latest airport rules, regarding the coronavirus. Be sure to also check if your airline and destination have further travel requirements.

Are masks still required in airports?

Masks are no longer required at airports.

According to the CDC and Transportation Security Administration, as of April, transportation hubs do not require masking, but they do recommend people wear face coverings in indoor public transportation settings.

The agencies rescinded the masking order following a court decision in Florida that the CDC doesn’t have the authority to mandate masks in public transportation.

What are the requirements to fly?

Testing is no longer required for travelers. Instead, for domestic and international travel, the CDC recommends testing.

All travelers will have to provide contact information to their airline before boarding to help with contact tracing.

Non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. immigrants that are traveling to the U.S. must show proof of full vaccination. According to CDC, you are considered fully vaccinated if you meet all the following requirements:

• Two weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
• Two weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted two-dose series
• Two weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
• Two weeks (14 days) after you received two doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Some people may be exempt from this requirement, such as children, diplomats and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

What are California airports recommending?

• Los Angeles International Airport: LAX follows COVID safety guidelines set by the CDC.
• John Wayne Airport: This airport follows CDC guidelines, recommending testing and masking.
• Sacramento International Airport: Masks are not required at SMF. It recommends travelers check their airlines for specific COVID safety requirements. Jet Blue and American Airlines, for example, follow CDC guidelines.
• San Francisco International Airport: SFO is also following CDC travel advisories — not requiring testing for pre-departure and mandating non-citizen and non-immigrant passengers show proof of vaccination to come into the U.S.

This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Are there still COVID rules for airports and planes? What California travelers should know."