Corona virus: The test obligation for travelers to the USA will be lifted from Sunday

published11. June 2022, 04:42

Travelers from abroad to the United States will no longer have to present a negative coronavirus test before their flight, starting Sunday. This was announced by the health authority CDC on Friday (local time) in Washington.

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The general obligation to test, regardless of vaccination status, is being lifted by the US health authorities.

AFP

So far, it was allowed to fly within the country without presenting a Covid test, but different regulations applied to international flights.

AFP

For the time being, PCR and antigen tests for US air travelers are a thing of the past.

AFP

The pandemic has “entered a new phase” due to widespread vaccination, the availability of treatment options and increased immunity within the population, the authority justified the step. This has reduced the risk in the USA of becoming seriously ill with corona or even dying. The US travel industry had long been calling for an end to the testing requirement for fully vaccinated air travelers.

Until now, travelers with destinations in the USA had to be tested the day before their international flight and were only allowed to board with a negative result. The test requirement applies regardless of vaccination status and applies to both foreigners and Americans. Excluded are people who have just recovered from Covid-19 and can show a letter from a doctor or health authority. For flights within the USA, on the other hand, there is no obligation to test and, according to a ruling by a federal court, there is no longer any obligation to wear a mask.

Economic losses due to the measures were considerable

The US travel industry has called for the obligation to test to be ended as quickly as possible. A letter from airlines, airports, hotel chains, associations and companies from the industry to the White House coronavirus coordinator last month said that the economic losses due to the measure were significant. It was also pointed out that there is no mandatory test at the land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Are you or is someone you know struggling with the Corona period?

Are you or is someone you know struggling with the Corona period?

(DPA/sys)