US Ends COVID-19 Testing Requirement for International Air Travelers
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday night announced the termination of the COVID-19 testing requirement for international air travelers entering the U.S.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the 17-month-old mandate will be lifted on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET. The health agency concluded that the testing requirement is "not currently necessary" to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "In its place," Walensky believes travelers have access to enough tools and guidance to make their own "informed choices." Those who are not U.S. citizens, however, must still show proof of vaccination before boarding their flight. The CDC said it will reassess the decision in 90 days and could reinstate the testing requirement if there was a "concerning new variant."
Prominent voices in the travel industry have lobbied the Biden administration to drop the travel restrictions, arguing that the policy has prevented many Americans from traveling internationally. Since the current rule mandates travelers to test negative within 24 hours of their departure, some Americans have expressed concerns that they would "test positive and be stranded abroad."
Outlets across the spectrum similarly highlighted how "both Republicans and some Democrats" have suggested the "outdated" testing requirement should be dropped.
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From the Center
U.S. drops COVID testing for incoming international air travelers
The United States late Friday rescinded a 17-month-old requirement that people arriving in the country by air test negative for COVID-19, a move that follows intense lobbying by airlines and the travel industry.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky issued a four-page order lifting the mandate, effective at 12:01 a.m. ET (0400 GMT) Sunday, saying it is "not currently necessary."
The requirement had been one of the last major U.S. COVID-19 travel requirements. Its end comes as the summer travel season kicks off, and airlines were already preparing...
From the Left
US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country
The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention official.
The move, which CNN was first to report, will go into effect for US-bound air travelers at midnight on Sunday, the officials said.
The CDC is lifting the restriction that the travel industry had lobbied against for months after determining it was no longer necessary...
From the Right
US Ends COVID-19 Testing Requirement For International Visitors
The Biden administration is reportedly set to announce Friday that the country is lifting its COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers heading to the U.S.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ultimately makes the decision to maintain or lift the requirement on U.S.-bound air travelers to test negative for COVID-19 before being allowed into the country. Senior administration officials told CNN that the CDC is expected to lift the restrictions at midnight on Sunday, and will reassess the decision in 90 days. Several other outlets also reported the U.S. is set to remove the testing...
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