Topline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement that air travelers show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before entering the United States, according to a Biden administration official, multiple publications reported Friday.
NEW YORK CITY – NOVEMBER 24: Signs warn travelers of Covid-19 in New York’s LaGuardia Airport on … [+]
Key Facts
The travel rule has been in place since January 2021, but the Biden official told CNN, which first reported the news, that the CDC is lifting the requirement based on “science and data.”
The CDC will reassess the situation in 90 days and could reinstate the mandate should a new variant emerge.
Airline and tourism associations – as well as a bipartisan group of 38 U.S. mayors – have been urging the Biden administration to ease up on the travel restrictions for months, saying that they were discouraging tourism.
The Biden official said the travel mandate will be officially lifted Sunday at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Key Background
The Biden Administration originally put the rule in place after canceling restrictions that banned nonessential travel from dozens of countries, including much of Europe, China, Brazil, South Africa, India and Iran. The first iteration of the rule required travelers who were fully vaccinated to show proof of a negative test within three days of travel, while unvaccinated people had to show proof within one day of travel. But in November 2021, as the omicron variant spread, the administration tightened the mandate, requiring all travelers to test within a day of travel to the U.S., regardless of vaccination status.
Crucial Quote
“I’m glad CDC suspended the burdensome coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and I’ll continue to do all I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said.
Further Reading
US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel (The AP)
US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country (CNN)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliecoleman/2022/06/10/us-to-end-covid-19-testing-requirements-for-air-travelers-entering-the-country/