On Jan. 21, 2021, incoming United States President Joe Biden issued new presidential proclamations, ordering travelers seeking to enter the U.S. from a foreign country to “comply with other applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including ‘recommended’ periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after entry into the United States.”

Current CDC quarantine and self-isolation guidelines

The current CDC guidelines recommend self-quarantining if traveling from a high-risk country, which is pretty much a majority of the world.

How long does the CDC recommend quarantining?

The guidelines state the following:

• Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel.
  • Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days.
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
• If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days after travel.

CDC quarantine guideline enforcement

There are no enforcement procedures at this time, but the White House has asked HHS, TSA, and FAA to submit their recommendations within two weeks of Jan. 21, 2021 for implementing a quarantine requirement.

Conclusion

A new Presidential Proclamation issued Jan. 21, 2021 orders travelers from returning to the U.S. from a foreign country to comply with the current CDC self-isolation guidelines. The self-isolations recommendations are not enforced but that could be changing as various government agencies have been given 14 days to provide a plan on the feasibility of implementing a formal quarantine requirement.