LAX Airport has put in place several measures to ensure passenger safety. These include adding hundreds of hand sanitizer stations, requiring everyone inside terminals to wear face covers, frequent cleaning of public areas and restrooms. LAX also ensures regular cleaning of high-touch locations such as elevators, escalators, trash and recycling cans, kiosk touch screen monitors, water fountains, seating areas, etc. They also make sure to clean airport shuttles regularly.
Is LAX requiring COVID testing?
Travelers from eligible countries who land at LAX will need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination. They’ll also have to show a negative COVID-19 test no later than three days before departure. Before boarding a flight to the LAX, travelers must show proof of vaccination or a COVID test.
There are some very limited exceptions and additional testing requirements for those who cannot provide proof of vaccination. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will ask non-citizen travelers to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, verbally attest to their cause for travel, and provide COVID-19 vaccination status during the border inspection procedure.
Do you need to get a COVID-19 test to fly back to the U.S.?
According to the CDC, all passengers flying to the United States must produce a negative COVID-19 test result or documented proof of recovery. Before boarding, airlines must confirm the negative test result or provide confirmation of recovery for all passengers.
What type of COVID test is required for traveling to the United States?
The COVID test done before traveling to the U.S. must be a SARS-CoV-2 virus test, i.e., nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or an antigen test with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
Phrases denoting an antigen test (including, but not limited to):
- Rapid antigen test
- Viral antigen test
- Other names for the test are Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay, Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, and Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence.
Examples of available NAATs for COVID (including but not limited to) tests such as
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR
- Isothermal amplification including
- Nicking endonuclease amplification reaction or NEAR
- Transcription mediated amplification or TMA
- Loop-mediated isothermal amplification or LAMP
- Helicase-dependent amplification or HDA
- Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats or CRISPR
- Strand displacement amplification or SDA
Do you need a vaccine to fly to L.A.?
All non-US citizens and non-US immigrants traveling to L.A. must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
If you’re traveling domestically, the CDC advises that you delay travel until you are up to date (take all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible) with your COVID-19 vaccines. Before flying to L.A., check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents. You will need to comply with airline requirements.
LAX Travel Tips:
If you’re traveling to or via LAX, make sure you wear a high-quality mask (three-ply surgical mask and or a KN95) while at the airport. Carry hand sanitizers/wipes, and make sure to maintain social distancing at the airport and on airport shuttles. Book a contactless LAX parking spot ahead of travel to minimize unnecessary contact.
Here’s more info on top-rated airport parking, the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
