COVID restrictions lifted: what do travellers need to enter the US?
From June 12 negative tests are no longer needed to enter the US by plane for the first time in more than two years
Fresh from their request last week to ease travel requirments, airline sector bosses have got their wish. Saturday June 11 was the last day that pre-fight testing was a requirement for international travellers. From Sunday June 12, no testing will be needed regardless of vaccine level if you are a US citizen.
“We are able to take this step because of the tremendous progress we’ve made in our fight against the virus,” a US government official told ABC News. “We have made lifesaving vaccines and treatments widely available and these tools are working to prevent serious illness and death, and are effective against the prevalent variants circulating in the U.S. and around the world.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will assess the rules again in three months time, and it could not be ruledout that there will be a return to testing in future.
What are the rules now?
For US citizens, there is no requirement for vaccines or testing to enter the US.
For non-citizens, they must be vaccinated to come into the country.
There are also no restrictions in relation to mask wearing aboard flights. Despite a push from the Biden administration to keep the mask mandate on transport, a judge in Florida struck down the plans in April. It was argued that the federal government had overstepped its legal authority in issuing the extension.
What has the reaction been?
Business leaders were pleased at the outcome.
“Lifting this policy will help encourage and restore air travel to the United States, benefiting communities across the country that rely heavily on travel and tourism to support their local economies,” Nick Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, the group that lobbies on behalf of US airlines, said in a statement.
“We are eager to welcome the millions of travelers who are ready to come to the US for vacation, business and reunions with loved ones,” he added.
Nevada Senator Cortez Masto was also pleased by the lifting of the restrictions, taking to twitter to air her opinion.