Vaccination Certificate requirements in LA (Shopping, Indoor venues, etc.)

[anchew]

Are here any AFF members currenlty in LA? If so, what proof of vaccination do you use to enter indoor venues that require it? Do you show your Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate or something else?

 

[serfty]

Thinking about members, @dfcatch may be around

@ithongy could have some information as well.

 

[ithongy]

Had a hairdresser ask for vaccination and showed them Medicare vaccination and they gladly accepted it. But believe the QR code when you link Medicare vaccination to passport is the document you need to show you are fully vaccinated.

 

[Jenya]

Hi @ithongy, did you just recently travelled to LAX?
could you please share you experience, how is entry to US look like. what kind of test have you done on departure from Australia, PCR or just rapid anigen?
I am booked for 17 December on Delta flight, truing to organize everything now

 

[ithongy]

Hi @ithongy, did you just recently travelled to LAX?
could you please share you experience, how is entry to US look like. what kind of test have you done on departure from Australia, PCR or just rapid anigen?
I am booked for 17 December on Delta flight, truing to organize everything now

Flew out earlier this month SYD-LAX on QF. Need to do PCR test showing Covid Neg 72 hours before flight, free testing don't cut it. You have to pay around AUD$150 for test.

Arrive 4 hours early to check in. You have to show proof of vaccination. Link medicare vaccination to passport before flying to make things easier.

Masks to be worn on entire flight duration.

If you have Global Entry, LAX has updated their kiosks. There is no need to scan documents or fingerprints. Kiosk will snap a pic of you without masks, sunglasses, headwear, gates will open and officers will ask you to proceed & greet you "Welcome Back". It's so much better than any other smart gates I've ever used.

 

[serfty]

Need to do PCR test showing Covid Neg 72 hours before flight, free testing don't cut it. You have to pay around AUD$150 for test.

This has changed recently - a Rapid Antigen test that meets the CDC requirements is sufficient - these can be had for ~$50.

 

[justinbrett]

This has changed recently - a Rapid Antigen test that meets the CDC requirements is sufficient - these can be had for ~$50.

Obviously unless you're flying QF

 

[serfty]

Obviously unless you're flying QF

QF do not specify a blanket negative PCR requirement to travel on Qantas operated international services.

They do require you provide documentation that meets the requirements of the countries of your destination (and/or transit).

Pre-departure COVID testing Requirements | Qantas

 

[ithongy]

Reporting again went to LACMA & showed Medicare passport link document from iPhone with QR code staff was happy to let me in.

 

[Matt_01]

I noticed that the US has reduced the pre departure test from 3 days to 1 day. If your flights are in one PNR is it the first flight or the flight to the US that counts for the 1 day one requirement. In my case looking at SQ228 connecting to SQ26.

 

[justinbrett]

I noticed that the US has reduced the pre departure test from 3 days to 1 day. If your flights are in one PNR is it the first flight or the flight to the US that counts for the 1 day one requirement. In my case looking at SQ228 connecting to SQ26.

I'm pretty sure it says final leg to the US is what counts. But unless you are overnighting it wouldn't make a difference as it's calendar day prior, not 24 hours.. So if you leave SIN at Wed 2355, you can get your test any time Tues morning. And if your flight from SIN delays to after midnight that's fine, it's based on the scheduled departure.

Edit - it's a bit vague, but no it's from the first flight, unless you choose to spend an overnight stop along the way.

---

COVID-19 and Travel

CDC travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.cdc.gov

If your itinerary has you arriving to the US via one or more connecting flights, your test can be taken within 1 day before the departure of the first flight.

You also have the option of getting tested en route during one of your connections. However, you should consider where in the connecting airport testing is available and if you would be able to access it while in transit. If you choose this strategy and are unable to get a test en route, you will not be able to board your flight to the United States. You should also be aware that if you test positive en route, you will not be allowed to continue your travel and may need to stay at that location until you end isolation.

Please note, if you planned an itinerary incorporating one or more overnight stays en route to the US, you will need to make sure your test is not expired before your flight that will enter the US. You do not need to be retested if the itinerary requires an overnight connection because of limitations in flight availability.

 

[anchew]

To tie this issue off, I've spent a week in the US and have been showing my COVID certificate from my Medicare Express App and it has been accepted everywhere I had to show proof of vaccination.

 

[justinbrett]

To tie this issue off, I've spent a week in the US and have been showing my COVID certificate from my Medicare Express App and it has been accepted everywhere I had to show proof of vaccination.

Not sure if you mean the standard green one used in Australia or the blue international one (both are gained via Medicare).

The blue one is the one you’re supposed to use overseas, though I’m sure Americans wouldn’t know the difference.

 

[anchew]

Not sure if you mean the standard green one used in Australia or the blue international one (both are gained via Medicare).

The blue one is the one you’re supposed to use overseas, though I’m sure Americans wouldn’t know the difference.

I've been showing the standard green one

 

[justinbrett]

Just an update on this, having just returned from the US yesterday.

Vaccination requirements are becoming much more widespread - I had to show them in LA, DC, Philly, New York, San Francisco and Hawaii. All of which were happy with the blue Australian international certificate added to my phone wallet - but as above you’d probably be fine with the standard green one. Considering the US method is a CDC cardboard card, they aren’t that picky. You do have to follow it up with your ID (Australian licence is fine)

In some of the more conservative states that don’t have vaccination requirements for hospitality, they don’t require mask wearing if you are vaccinated. I guess technically you could be asked to show evidence but it didn’t seem like it was enforced.