US ends Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country

The measure, which DailyExpertNews first reported, will take effect Sunday at midnight for air travelers traveling to the US.

The CDC is lifting the restriction that the travel industry had lobbied for months after determining it was no longer necessary “on the basis of science and data,” the official said. The CDC will reassess its decision in 90 days and if officials decide they need to reinstate it, for example because of a worrying new variant. The measure has been in effect since January 2021.

The official said the Biden administration plans to work with airlines to ensure a smooth transition with the change, but it will likely be a welcome move for most in the industry.

Travel industry officials have become increasingly critical of the requirement in recent weeks and have directly urged the Biden administration to end the measure, arguing it had a chilling effect on an already fragile economy, according to Nick Calio. head of Airlines for America, whose group recently met. with White House officials.

The travel industry and some science experts said the policy had been outdated for months.

Lawmakers, including Democrats, had also called for the requirement to be lifted in recent weeks.

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said: “I am pleased that CDC has suspended the onerous coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and I will continue to do everything I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry.”