On Sunday, June 12, the U.S. lifted Covid-19 pre-departure testing requirement for travellers entering the country.
Air travelers no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test before flying to the United States, federal health officials announced on Friday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, science and new data show that this requirement is no longer necessary. However, the CDC still recommends travelers to get tested before and after they travel.
CDC has determined that travelers have access to tools (e.g., vaccines, therapeutics, and recommended prevention measures) and guidance that allow travelers to make informed choices about the use of pre-departure testing and other prevention measures.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The requirement for pre-departure coronavirus testing could be reinstated if there are new concerns about another variant. The CDC will reassess the decision in 3 months and would reinstate the requirement for pre-departure coronavirus testing if there are new concerns about another variant.
Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, said that this was possible thanks to the progress the U.S. has made in the fight against the coronavirus.
Right now, we have life-saving vaccines and widely available treatments—effective against prevalent variants—preventing serious illness and death.
Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Travelers who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents or traveling to the U.S. on an immigrant visa must still show proof of vaccination before boarding their flight.
The lift of pre-departure testing requirements is a huge step forward for the travel sector, which has campaigned for months to have pandemic-related requirements lifted.
According to Roger Dow, chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association, the decision is a “huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States.” He added that, “the Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry.”
The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry.
Roger Dow, chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association
While demand for domestic travel has been strong for months, the end of the testing requirement could increase interest in international destinations.
