RALEIGH, N.C. — The omicron variant is throwing a wrench into holiday travel plans, and one N.C. State student heading out for the season who spoke to Spectrum News 1 is already worrying about returning once he leaves the country.
New travel restrictions go into effect Monday
Inbound travelers to the United States must show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight's departure
An N.C. State student traveling to Pakistan says he will be scrambling when he returns to Raleigh in a month
Twenty-year-old Raafay Siddiqui is picking up his belongings, ready for a long trip ahead, but with Christmas and New Years quickly approaching, travel rules are changing once again.
“I've traveled internationally multiple times so it's not a big deal for me," Siddiqui said of his previous trips back. "Just visiting my family."
Siddiqui prepared to head to Pakistan Monday where he'll be staying for a month, but the worry about how he'll return is setting in.
He says the new travel guidelines, which took effect Monday, will leave him scrambling on the way back to Raleigh.
The N.C. State business student is traveling to see his wife for the first time since they were married in August. He says they’re waiting for her visa to be approved.
Before being allowed to board the plane, Siddiqui had to submit a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours ahead of Monday's flight.
Siddiqui's father shows the passenger health declaration form provided by Pakistan, and it asks basic flight info and COVID-19 screening questions.
He says you have to submit the form before boarding an international flight from the U.S. to Pakistan.
But what about from Pakistan to the U.S.?
Beginning Monday, the U.S. Department of State says travelers 2 years and older must show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight's departure to the United States.
“Usually within the last 24 hours you're packing your stuff, everything's all over the place, and you have to go to a testing location to get tested," Siddiqui said.
Siddiqui says it will be especially challenging where he’s going.
He says the closest testing center near his village in Pakistan is at least an hour away.
On top of that, the closest airport to his village is five to six hours away.
These new testing and time frame guidelines are for everyone 2 years and older regardless of nationality or vaccination status.
The White House hopes the tighter testing timeline will increase public health protection as uncertainty about the omicron variant looms.
President Biden has also extended the transportation mask mandate through March.
