Fountain warns about air travel

Escambia County Circuit Clerk John Robert Fountain said the requests for passports and the renewal of passports is picking up after a year stagnated by COVID-19, but Fountain says he issues a warning to anybody who travels out of the country and plans to arrive back via an airline.

Although the U.S. State Department encourages U.S. citizens to stop non-essential travel at this time, traveling out of the country is still permissible, but getting back in could be a problem.

Fountain, who also serves as passport facilitator for the county, said he received a notice from the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services concerning COVID-19 testing requirements for anyone flying into the United States from a foreign country.

On Jan. 26, 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three days of departure from the foreign country. People who test positive will be quarantined and not allowed to re-enter the country.

"It's in effect right now," Fountain said this week. "They will notify me of any changes with COVID passport protocol."

"I let them know that before they get on that plane to come back they have to produce a negative COVID-19 test that was given in the last three days before they leave," Fountain said.

People traveling out of the country can go to http://www.travel.state.gov/C19testingOverseas to find the nearest testing site to the location they will be departing from.

"It's up to the traveler to find a testing site," Fountain said.

Fountain said he had one person who was going to Mexico on a fishing trip, but found out the nearest testing site was three hours away from where he would be.

"After I tell them and give them the information, I've had several tell me they would delay their trips," he said. "Others have been able to identify testing sites close to where they are."

However, if someone tests positive for COVID-19, they won't be able to get on the plane and they will be quarantined.

Fountain said the current guidelines only affect air travelers and not those who take cruise ships to other countries.

"I tell everybody it's their responsibility to find out what the travel restrictions are," Fountain said. "I have information here in the office, but it could change at any time."

A flyer distributed by the U.S. State Department warns people that travel plans may be "severely disrupted" by COVID-19 that include mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions and closed borders.

"If you must travel, have a plan in case you test positive for COVID-19 and be ready to pay additional hotel costs and change fees," the flyer reads.

The state department also recommends people purchase medical travel insurance that includes pandemic coverage.

Fountain said he has no plans to leave the country any time soon.

"I just want people to know there are risks concerning travel out of the country," he said. "They may get to their destination, but have a tough time getting home."