Source: WCO/U.S. Customs and Border Protection
24.03.2020
Legislative Powers (i.e. on matters such as imposed quarantine):
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has the relevant authorities for the COVID-19 response.
See Title 42, United States Code (U.S.C.). The authority for the presidential proclamations is 8
U.S.C. § 1182(f). The authorities for flight funneling are 19 U.S.C. 1433(c), 19 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 122.32, 49 U.S.C. 114, and 49 CFR 1544.305 and 1546.105. The authorities
for “essential travel” are 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), and 42 U.S.C.
Arrival Restrictions and Quarantine Arrangements:
Please see the Presidential Proclamation (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidentialactions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-personspose-risk-transmitting-coronavirus/) and information on arrival restrictions at the DHS website
(https://www.dhs.gov/publication/notices-arrival-restrictions-coronavirus).
The CDC is working with state and local public health partners to implement after-travel health
precautions. Depending on a person’s travel history, that person could be asked to stay home
for a period of 14 days from the time the person left an area with widespread or ongoing
community spread.
Information on travellers returning from high-risk countries can be found on the CDC website
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html).
In Country Visa Issues:
Inquiries received from non-immigrant travellers in-country whose visas are nearing expiration
are referred to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Public Health Advice:
The CDC provides official public health advice on COVID-19. Information is available on the
CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html).
Industry Engagement:
CBP continues to engage with CDC and Industry Stakeholders in order to continue the flow of
legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States.
Planning:
CBP has national pandemic plans and continuity of operations plans in place. CBP has
appropriate PPE at all ports, stations, air branches, and at all operational locations globally.
CBP has a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist located in every Field Office and Sector to
assist operational components complete the mission of CBP while ensuring that CBP
employees remain safe. CBP has activated its Emergency Operations Center to assist in the
execution of the CBP response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This 24/7 activity integrates
representatives from all offices to manage emergency response assets and coordinate
information and resources.
For the most up to date information, visit the DHS website (https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus)
and CBP homepage (https://www.cbp.gov/).