On December 22, 2021, a man checked in at the Covid-19 test site in the international arrivals area of Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California.
Frederick J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
The Biden administration will withdraw the Covid-19 inspection requirements for inbound air travelers from abroad on Sunday, ending one of the pandemic’s longest-running travel restrictions.
Rules enacted by the Trump administration Early 2021 from Tightening The Biden administration recently required inbound travelers, including US citizens, to provide evidence of a negative Covid test the day before boarding a flight to the United States. Travelers entering the United States at border crossings are exempt.
The changes will take effect on Sunday at 12:01 am.
Airlines and other members of the travel industry repeat push Management to remove requirements, Claim It was hurting international travel demand. The travel industry is one of the hardest hits by the pandemic.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at an industry conference last week that he met with a politician in Washington, DC to discuss testing requirements.
“We are really frustrated,” he said.
Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have previously abandoned the Covid test entry rules.
“The Biden administration welcomes visitors from all over the world and praises this action to accelerate the recovery of the US travel industry,” Roger Dow, chairman of the American Travel Association, said in a statement. “International inbound travel is very important for businesses and workers across the country who are struggling to recoup their losses from this valuable sector.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will reassess the decision within 90 days, according to executives from the Biden administration.
“If the pre-departure inspection requirements need to be reinstated (including those with new, related variants), the CDC will not hesitate to act,” officials said.
The travel industry has clashed with both the Byden and Trump administrations throughout the pandemic over rules aimed at curbing the Covid-19 epidemic, including a strict ban on most foreign tourists to the United States. .. November..
Separately, a federal judge appointed by Trump in April Overthrown Another controversial rule aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19: The Biden administration requires travelers to wear masks on planes and other public transport.
— —CNBC Thomas Frank Contributed to this article..
