[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 169 (Friday, September 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 49536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19089]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Humanitarian Exemption Approved for All Afghan Evacuees Subject 
to CDC's Global Testing Order

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located 
within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces a 
blanket humanitarian exemption to the agency's Requirement for Negative 
Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result for individuals relocating to the 
United States from Afghanistan, including U.S. citizens, lawful 
permanent residents (LPRs), third country nationals, and Afghans at 
risk, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants.

DATES: This exemption went into effect on August 15, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tiffany Brown, Deputy Chief of Staff, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS 
H21-10, Atlanta, GA 30329. Phone: 404-639-7000. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 12, 2021, CDC announced an Order 
requiring all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign 
country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs 
and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered 
from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.
    In August 2021, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a series 
of Security Alerts for Afghanistan due to increased Taliban activity 
throughout the country, including the capital of Kabul. In response to 
a request from DOS on August 15, 2021, CDC and the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) granted a blanket humanitarian 
exemption to CDC's Order to expedite the evacuation of U.S. citizens, 
lawful permanent residents (LPRs), third country nationals, and Afghans 
at risk, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants, 
while adhering to COVID-19 mitigation guidance issued by CDC.
    The exemption, which is being administered by DOS and cooperating 
federal and state agencies, was granted with the following conditions: 
(1) The CDC Order requiring mask use for passengers and crew on air 
conveyances bound for the United States should be followed to the 
extent possible; (2) all efforts should be made to test and provide 
test documentation to the traveler at a transit location prior to 
arrival in the United States that can be presented upon arrival, and if 
this cannot be done, individuals (travelers) arriving are required to 
undergo COVID-19 testing immediately upon arrival to the first port of 
entry in the United States; (3) individuals who test positive are 
required to isolate prior to continuing on commercial transportation to 
their final destination; and (4) family members of those testing 
positive may require adhering to self-quarantine recommendations as 
stipulated by CDC or state and local health authorities at the arrival 
location.
    In addition, all Afghan evacuees covered by the exemption must also 
agree to comply with relevant CDC post-travel public health guidance 
including:
     Watch their health for symptoms of COVID-19. If they 
become ill during the flight to the United States or while in a U.S. 
airport, they should immediately report their illness.
     Take all the necessary steps to protect themselves and 
others during travel, such as wearing a mask to keep their nose and 
mouth covered when in public settings, including on public 
transportation and in airports and other transportation hubs until they 
arrive at their final destination.
     Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for 
severe illness for 14 days.
     Follow all federal, state, territorial, and local 
requirements and all other public health measures for preventing 
community transmission of COVID-19.
    Authority: The CDC Director is issuing this Notice pursuant to 
Sections 361 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 264, and 
implementing regulations at 42 CFR 71.20 and 71.31(b).

    Dated: August 31, 2021.
Sherri Berger,
Chief of Staff, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-19089 Filed 9-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P