We just arrived this afternoon (3/17) on our Delta flight from Heathrow to JFK. Before landing, the captain announced that CDC reps would be meeting us at the door as soon as we landed so everyone had to stay seated after arriving at the gate.
After landing, the purser explained the procedure: We had to have our declaration forms filled out (that we were given at Heathrow). It asked if we had been to China and also 3 other questions - if we had a fever, if we had a cough, if we’ve been with anyone who has the virus. We had to circle the countries we have been to the last 14 days from a list of Schengen countries at the bottom of the form.
We were deplaned in groups of 15 starting with first class. We were in business and it seemed to take 5 mins, then it was our turn. I was surprised that our wait was so short, I thought it would take longer.
They were waiting for us right outside the door. There were 2 lines, 2 sets of screeners. The CDC guy wearing a mask took my form, took my temp, and asked the same questions as on the form. Another guy wrote my temperature on the form and handed me off to another guy who gave me a “you’ve been screened” card and said I needed to keep it with me at all times as it proved I’ve been screened. Then we walked off the jetway.
At no time did anybody say anything about self-quarantining. We’re going to do it anyway.
Then Global Priority took another 5 mins and we had nothing to declare at customs and we were out. The whole process from deplaning to walking out of customs took 10-12 mins and most of it was walking down long empty corridors from the plane to immigration. No crowds, no lengthy waits, no standing around with clusters of people.
It’s a little disturbing how empty and quiet JFK is right now compared to pre-Covid-19.