Airport Traveler Testing Program for SARS-CoV-2 — Alaska, June–November 2020

Abstract

Travel can facilitate SARS-CoV-2 introduction. To reduce introduction of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the state of Alaska implemented a program on June 6, 2020, for arriving air, sea, and road travelers that required either molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or a 14-day self-quarantine after arrival. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) used weekly standardized reports submitted by 10 participating Alaska airports to evaluate air traveler choices to undergo testing or self-quarantine, traveler test results, and airport personnel experiences while implementing the program. Among 386,435 air travelers who arrived in Alaska during June 6-November 14, 2020, a total of 184,438 (48%) chose to be tested within 72 hours before arrival, 111,370 (29%) chose to be tested on arrival, and 39,685 (10%) chose to self-quarantine without testing after arrival. An additional 15,112 persons received testing at airport testing sites; these were primarily travelers obtaining a second test 7-14 days after arrival, per state guidance. Of the 126,482 airport tests performed in Alaska, 951 (0.8%) results were positive, or one per 406 arriving travelers. Airport testing program administrators reported that clear communication, preparation, and organization were vital for operational success; challenges included managing travelers' expectations and ensuring that sufficient personnel and physical space were available to conduct testing. Expected mitigation measures such as vaccination, physical distancing, mask wearing, and avoidance of gatherings after arrival might also help limit postarrival transmission. Posttravel self-quarantine and testing programs might reduce travel-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission and importation, even without enforcement. Traveler education and community and industry partnerships might help ensure success.To assess the airport traveler testing program, Alaska DHSS reviewed Alaska's COVID-19 requirements and testing operations for arriving air travelers during June 6-November 14, 2020. Although travelers entering Alaska by road and sea were also subject to these requirements, entry by road and sea was minimal after Canada began restricting nonessential transit on March 20, 2020 (1), and these ports of entry neither provided weekly briefs nor routinely offered onsite testing; therefore, this report is limited to an analysis of the air traveler program. Airport programs were asked to provide weekly reports on the numbers of incoming flights, passengers screened for symptoms, passengers tested within 72 hours before arrival, passengers who chose to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival, passengers tested at the airport, and positive test results. In

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